TUCSON, Ariz. — A southeast Tucson man created a new neighborhood watch program last month, after he says he's fed up with crime in the area.
Michael Dunn has lived by Lakeside Park for the past 26 years. He says he's seen the area change a lot recently, for the worse.
"This was a beautiful area at one time," Dunn said. "Right now, school's out, kids should be in this park. They always used to be. Now it's empty."
Dunn says he regularly finds drug paraphernalia around the park, and that car break-ins, and property crime have become the new normal.
Last month, he created a new neighborhood watch program called MADNOW. It stands for Multiple Areas, Districts, and Neighborhoods on Watch.
Dunn says it's more of a community watch, since dozens of people are involved.
"Because I've got people pretty much from Kolb east, and Broadway south that are all on my team," Dunn said.
About 40 people are currently involved with MADNOW, and Dunn says a lot of them got in touch through Nextdoor.
Dunn says when someone sees something, they contact him, and he makes sure it gets taken care of, or reported to Tucson Police.
"Ultimately, we're not cops," Dunn said. "We're just volunteers, trying to make a difference."
MADNOW is also raising money to help people who are victimized by a crime financially. The group has a GoFundMe page and is also selling signs to benefit the cause.
Dunn says the ultimate goal is to take back their neighborhoods.
"Criminals just have the free walk of the place," Dunn said. "And it's time for them to hide back in the shadows again."
Currently, MADNOW is on the southeast side of town. Dunn says he hopes to see it grow throughout Tucson, and beyond.
If you're interested in learning more about MADNOW, you can email Dunn at mikead1965@gmail.com.
