That's a change from a few months ago, said San Jose police Neighborhood Watch coordinator Rosana Carrasco. "Last time we canceled a 'senior security' meeting because not enough people showed up." At least 10 residents need to attend for the police to hold a community meeting.

But this time complex manager Marjorie Stiles asked the police to hold a meeting because of recent car break-ins and problems with nonresidents loitering on a walking trail near the rear of the complex, according to Carrasco.

Stiles said she didn't feel comfortable talking to the Almaden Resident, referring to the vandalism as "very minimal." She said management was trying to be proactive by holding the meeting, and she added that there wouldn't be enough room for everyone to attend.

The Almaden Resident surveyed more than two dozen Le Mirador tenants. Like many, Manuel Zapata, a three-year resident, said he felt "very secure" at the complex. Others agreed, but felt nervous anyway. "I do go out a lot, but I'm really uneasy coming home now by myself," said Janet Bond.

"We got a report from the office that said there had been vandalism in one end of our parking lot," Bond continued. "I'm looking forward to the meeting, to find out what's going on, to find out what they have in mind to make the residents feel more comfortable, whether it's a security guard or something else." She added that the parking lots are well lit.

Fellow resident Janet Bedrossian said pass-card locks keep the apartment buildings secure.

But another tenant worries about those locks. "I've tried to stop people from walking in the front door. They wait for someone to come in the door, and follow them in," said Monique Summers. "We don't have any signs on the front door that say 'you have to be buzzed in.' We should also make people aware that you shouldn't let strangers in."

Her other concerns include transients walking around the complex and not knowing who to call for help. "I saw a man a week or so ago who looked like a street person, a homeless person, and I didn't know what to do," said Summers. "That's one of the problems. You can't be calling the police all the time. He could be a resident's son. We need guidance on who to call. We just don't know."

Vice Mayor and District 10 Councilwoman Pat Dando said residents and Stiles called her last month about vandalism and burnt-out streetlights near the complex. "I immediately called the [Department of Transportation] to replace the lights, and had the police go out. They give a weekly update."

Dando said there was no record of residents calling police.

"I think senior citizens hesitate to do that. But you can never really track down who it happened to," she said. "One of the reasons we had our police go out and continue to do checks is that it's a senior complex and we want them to feel comfortable."

Police spokeswoman Catherine Unger said one resident had reported a car break-in on Jan. 27, by using an online form at the police department's website.

The Neighborhood Watch meeting starts at 7 p.m. on March 29. Police coordinator Carrasco said the meeting's topics will include "the three L's of crime prevention—locks, lighting, and landscaping." Residents will also learn who to call and how to get a good suspect description when a crime happens.