Stunned Ogden residents take a stand against crime

OGDEN — Residents shocked by two gang-related shootings in their quiet north Ogden neighborhood on Sunday shared their concerns and their resolve Thursday evening to keep any more violence out.

To help them show that they mean it, the group invited five members of the Guardian Angels, including founder and CEO, Curtis Sliwa. The group chatted with members of the nonprofit anti-crime group, then hosted a walking tour of their neighborhood.

"I've felt totally safe here," said resident Mona Lisa Wald, noting she happened to hold the first "Citizen Core of Ogden" meeting with about 40 neighbors just two days before the shootings. "I still take walks every day here, and I plan to keep taking them."

She and other residents said they have noticed gang-type activity as well as what appear to be "drug houses" with abnormally high amounts of car and pedestrian traffic.

"But what do you do other than this?" she said. "It's not like we can say please don't deal drugs here and they'd stop."

Wald said her neighbors' reaction since the shootings is increasing her confidence that the shooting incident is galvanizing community involvement and awareness, not scaring people off.

"Anyone is welcome to join in," she said. "We need representation on the (Ogden) City Council, we're organizing citizen emergency response networks as well as the Neighborhood Watch activities," she said. "A crime may have been the focal point, but it's just a starting point."

Joshua Tso, who will head the new local Guardian Angels' chapters in Ogden and Salt Lake City, said taking a "nothing is so bad that some good can't come from it" approach is the most positive reaction any community can take.

"We're just here to help them and doing our best to keep the area safe and sane," Tso said.

Sliwa, who had spent the day in Salt Lake City and plans to be there again today, along with Ogden Mayor Matthew Godfrey, said a united community response to gang violence and illegal drug trade activities is the single most effective deterrent.

"When you look at a neighborhood like this in this incredible mountain setting, clearly there is no buffer zone free of these random acts," Sliwa said. "And there is no better solution than people taking an active role in being aware and being out there putting a stop to it. You don't wish this stuff away."