There are a lot of retirees here, and young, working-class families. I know all the kids around here, and if I see them getting into trouble, I'll tell their parents. Ali Cortez, who has lived in the neighborhood for 15 years, said people in the community simply won't allow the drug dealers to take over. We're not millionaires, but we work hard for what we have, and we want to keep it nice. Strickland said his block club doesn't hold regular meetings.
People just take care of each other because it's the right thing to do.
For instance, when a new family moves into the neighborhood, people make it a point to go over and introduce themselves. That way, we get to know them, and they get to know us. Stan Anders, who's lived in the neighborhood for five years, said many of the area's older residents still hold onto the values that were once a part of every neighborhood. Around here, they still do. Strickland said there's no secret to keeping a neighborhood drug-free.