Police will hold a training session next month to help the residents learn what to do, and what not to do, in a security watch program.

"It is a reaction to some crimes that happened up there," said District 1 police commander Maj. Kevin Lima. "We want to partner with (residents), and they seem very interested. "

The Neighborhood Security Watch program is sponsored by the Police Department. The program involves citizen participation in a self-help cooperative battle against crime. Its primary purpose is the protection of communities and property.

The Neighborhood Security Watch areas often have signs to alert residents to the program and tell criminals someone is watching.

"We don't encourage them to get involved with anything that might be violent or confrontational," Lima said.

According to police statistics, one homicide, six robberies, four aggravated assaults, 44 burglaries, 100 thefts and 27 auto thefts were reported in 2003 in the beat that includes Pacific Heights Road.

In October, residents Martha Biven and Lori Manton told the Nu'uanu/Punchbowl Neighborhood Board that a postal collection box had been stolen right off the street. The heavy blue container was unbolted, ripped off the concrete slab, and stolen some time between 7 and 10:30 p.m. Oct. 7.

The collection box was later found dumped in a stream in Hau'ula, according to post office spokesman Duke Gonzalas.

Gonzalas said the box was placed in the neighborhood after the carrier reported "high incidents" of mail theft on Pacific Heights Road.

The box has been replaced and it is only the second time anyone can recall a collection box being stolen, he said.

Manton said mail theft has been a problem in the area for several years and the theft of the collection box was the last straw.

"We need a security watch so we can help battle crime on Pacific Heights," Manton said.

David Cheever, with the Pacific Heights/Pauoa Valley Improvement Association, said his group will cooperate with residents in setting up the new watch program because security is one of the association's primary goals.

"We are hoping to get it going up the hill and down Pauoa Valley as well," Cheever said. "The idea is to pull the community together and give us some cohesion and interest in taking care of each other in terms of security and speeding cars."