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Neighborhood Crime Alert

HALLANDALE BEACH, Florida / JustNews.com / January 14, 2009

A group of senior citizens in Hallandale Beach is helping local law enforcement officers fight crime.

Seniors are usually at home, they can usually spot what's out of place in the neighborhood and they are usually inches from a phone.

"Every eye and ear and action helps another police officer get the job complete, and that's what we need to do," said senior citizen Patricia Brennan.

Brennan used to work in code enforcement, and she wanted to do something to keep her Hallandale Beach condominium safe. She worked with the local police department to form the first-ever Hallandale Beach Senior Citizens' Police Academy.

Participants won't be carrying handguns and badges, but they will learn how to watch and when to call for help.

"I'm always watching. I'm not watching to see who is parked illegally. I'm watching to see is that guy following that woman? It's just in you," Brennan said.

The hope is to add more eyes and ears in neighborhoods, to teach seniors how to prevent credit card fraud and how to keep them from letting strangers in the house. You don't need to wrestle a criminal to help in the fight against crime.

Copyright 2009 by Post-Newsweek Stations