Residents who have turned to the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association elist to chat with their neighbors, share stories and seek advice can also share their crime concerns with the police through the online listserv.

Over the last few months, residents have posted incidents on the elist that included attempted burglaries, stolen mail packages and con artists. And since December 2004, San Jose Police Department Western Division Capt. Manny Martinez has been monitoring the lively elist--a Willow Glen-specific community listserv--for crime reports.

Martinez is following in the footsteps of former San Jose interim police chief and Willow Glen resident Thomas Wheatley. After Wheatley retired in January 2004, the elist went unmonitored until Tony Filice, assistant to San Jose District 6 Councilman Ken Yeager, asked Martinez if he could pick up the task.

Martinez said he was happy to oblige. "One thing I always enjoy about Willow Glen is they're really proactive, they hold us accountable in their community," he said.

Since Martinez has been present on the elist, he has contacted people who raise crime concerns directly via email. On Dec. 21, when Gail Williams witnessed a robbery at the Bank of America on Lincoln Avenue and immediately posted the incident on the elist, Martinez emailed her directly with the information the police had gathered.

Also, since Martinez patrols Willow Glen High and Middle schools on Thursdays and Fridays, he was able to convey resident concerns about the closed track that popped up on the elist to the school's principal.

Beginning on Jan. 30, however, Martinez is transferring to the police department's airport division. But the elist will not go unattended. San Jose Police Lt. Richard Fairhurst, who works in the narcotics department, will be taking Martinez' place as captain and on the elist. However, because Martinez will continue to patrol the Willow Glen schools, he will remain on the elist.

Fairhurst said he looks forward to his promotion to captain and his participation with the elist. "It's proven very helpful," he said.

Since the elist often produces a deluge of emails on a daily basis, Martinez recommends writing "a police matter" in the email subject line to get the police department's attention. He encourages all residents to report crimes to the police and on the elist, as well as any tips they may have.

"Keep the email coming," Martinez said. "Sometimes that little bit of information might help."

Residents interested in joining the Willow Glen Neighborhood Association elist should contact admin@wgna.net.