The Mack Road Partnership was started two years ago in an effort to clean up the area, prevent crime and increase community pride. Volunteers conducted a survey Thursday of business owners and store managers to see how things are going.
Maira Renteria works for Fiesta Auto Insurance, which offers policies to low-income customers. She says her primary concern is still crime.
"I think make it a safer area," she says. "You know, people are more willing to go out and spend money when they're in a safer area."
The Sacramento Police Department says the number of shootings in the patrol districts that include Mack Road were up from five at this time last year to 20 this year. But the department says the majority of those shootings were in March and that overall crime is down this year -robberies by 12 percent, burglaries by 27 percent.
Jenna Abbott of the Mack Road Partnership says the crime rate can drop even further with a more-involved community.
The partnership is starting a local version of a program called Sacramento Summer Night Lights.
"It takes place at a park at a usually some kind of community center," she says. "So, we actually partnered up with St. Andrew Lutheran Church and we will be holding our program on their campus. As part of that we are converting the pastor's residence into a small community center for the Mack Road, Valley Hi community.
The program is free and has activities and athletic leagues for all ages.
It starts May 31st.
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