FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Contact: David Schecter
Thursday, August 28, 2008	559-307-7250

El Dorado Park Comes Under Watchful Eye of Band of Neighbors

Residents Receive Training on Innovative Alert System This Week

Residents of a crime-challenged Fresno neighborhood now have use of a new, high tech tool to help keep themselves and their families safe. Under a partnership announced today by mayoral candidate Ashley Swearengin, residents of the El Dorado Park community will have free access to Band of Neighbors, a unique neighborhood alert service developed in Fresno by local entrepreneurs. The El Dorado project is being funded by Geil Enterprises, Inc, through the Band of Neighbors Foundation.

“The Band of Neighbors service is a powerful tool that enhances public safety through community awareness and involvement,” Swearengin said. “I truly commend Geil Enterprises for answering the call to help a struggling neighborhood transform itself into a safer environment for the families who live there.”

El Dorado Park has suffered from heavy criminal activity for decades. The area, located west of Fresno State, has long been known as “Sin City”. Today, however, residents are working to reclaim their neighborhood. The Band of Neighbors service will allow them to quickly relay alerts and other urgent information to each other within seconds.

When Swearengin learned that El Dorado Park residents wanted to establish a Band of Neighbors network in their area, but needed a helping hand, she sought out potential business sponsors. Sam Geil, President of Geil Enterprises, quickly stepped forward.

“Band of Neighbors has several elements which caught our interest, Geil said. “It’s innovative and it serves the public while assisting law enforcement. Geil Enterprises Inc. is honored to participate in this groundbreaking project and excited about helping a local start-up company get established.”

“We are excited to be implementing the Band of Neighbors Alert System in the El Dorado Neighborhood,” said Bob Hayden, CEO of Band of Neighbors, LLC. “We’re especially pleased that our service is helping to empower residents, keep them informed, and aid in the continued transformation of the El Dorado neighborhood.”

This project is an example of Swearengin’s collaborative abilities. It also puts into action an important component of her public safety strategy: an expansion of citizen involvement. “Through the use of innovative tools and approaches, like Band of Neighbors, we can enhance the effectiveness of the Fresno Police Department even more,” Swearengin said. “With more people on the lookout for suspicious activity, we can send a very strong message to criminals. That message is: ‘you’re being watched.”

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