The Los Indios Police Department launched the town's first crime watch meeting last month to strengthen its connection with a growing community.

The meetings are designed to bring officers and residents together, not because crime is rising but because the community is growing.

The focus is on listening to what residents are seeing in their neighborhoods and giving them practical advice. That includes how to protect their homes and cars, how to spot common scams, and what kinds of suspicious activity should be reported to police.

Officials say every concern raised during the meetings is documented and reviewed afterward. That could lead to extra patrols, traffic enforcement, or working with other city departments.

About 15 to 20 people attended the first meeting. Future meetings will be announced on the police department's social media pages.

Los Indios resident Joe John Elizondo has called the community home for more than 60 years. He said the city has always been a place where neighbors knew each other, and leaving the door unlocked was not out of the norm.

"Growing up, we'd leave the doors open, the windows open," Elizondo said. "I won't say I still have that same mentality. It's changed because it's grown, but not in a negative way. There's still good people, and, that I know of, there's not much crime."

Elizondo said one thing has changed for the better as Los Indios continues to grow: the number of police officers he sees every day.

"Now we feel safer because they cover through the cemetery," Elizondo said. "I see them while I'm here, all my neighborhood, there where I live, and I'm very appreciative of that."

Elizondo said he plans to attend future meetings.

"I think that's the best way, get everybody involved," Elizondo said. "The youth needs to be more aware of them and know that they're human beings and they're just doing their job."

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