Ken Baker

Chairman & CEO

Ken is a Griffith High School graduate and a 9-year U.S. Navy veteran. He received three years of Vocational Education from Purdue University Calumet, and has been a Hammond resident since 1969. Prior to retiring from Inland Steel after 32 years, Ken took several training courses through the National Rifle Association - earning “certification” in six catagories: “Pistol”, “Home Firearm Safety”, “Personal Protection”, “Shotgun Reloading”, “Metalic Case Reloading”, and “Range Safety Officer”. After retiring from Inland in 2002, Ken joined Neighborhood Crime Watch in Hammond. Under the watchful eye of his late mentor - Hammond Police Sergeant Gerald Granger - Ken took over the duties of Instructor for the NRA “Eddie Eagle Gun Safety Program”. More information about “Eddie Eagle” can be found on this website.

In 2004, Ken became Chairman and CEO of Hammond Neighborhood Crime Watch City-Wide. After two knee replacements, and a determination and drive to keep Hammond School children safer, Ken Baker hopes to get as many residents and business owners involved in Hammond Neighborhood Crime Watch throughout the city.

Dave Innes

Board Member/Director of Media Relations

Dave has been producing and hosting local cable television programs since 1981. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Radio & Television Communications from Purdue Calumet, Dave has always tried to get “positive” TV programs and information out to Northwest Indiana as a videographer, former “on-air” personality and Voice Artist on WJOB AM1230, and writer for the local newspapers. Over the years, he has hosted many “LIVE” programs. Most recently, he hosted “Hammond Tonite” with Mayor Thomas M. McDermott Jr. twice a month on Comcast cable television. Currently, Dave takes numerous photos of many events going on in Hammond that can be viewed on www.gohammond.com - along with co-producing short video segments, voice-overs, and interviews with Jim Corey and IN FOCUS VIDEO PRODUCTIONS.

Dave joined Hammond Neighborhood Crime Watch a few years ago. The late Sgt. Gerald Granger was also a mentor to him (AS WITH KEN), creating a drive and motivation to help make residents and business owners more confident - and willing - to report suspicious or criminal activities to the police. . Thrilled with the Economic Development going on in Hammond, Dave has spent most of his life here, realizing that Hammond has unlimited “possiblities”. Dave is currently a Block Captain in the Hessville area of Hammond, Co-Chairman, and in charge of Media Relations for Hammond Neighborhood Crime Watch.

Susie Demaree

Board Member

A Hammond resident for almost 20 years, Susie and her neighbors wanted to take control of their neighborhood again - a neighborhood quickly deteriorating from drugs, prostitution, and gang presence. Neighbors have been working alongside each other since June 2006 when the Harrison Park Neighborhood Crime Watch organization began. Residents and business owners have begun feeling more safe again, rather than threatened. She has had a wonderful experience working with many great neighbors, neighbors that she never knew existed! Meetings are held the first Wednesday of every month at 7:00 p.m. at the VFW - located at 5820 Hohman Avenue - across from Harrison Park, and just south of downtown Hammond.

Morgan Sikora

Board Member

Morgan is a proud resident of the Robertsdale section of Hammond. She graduated from Bishop Noll Institute in June of 1999. She went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Management from Purdue University Calumet in May of 2006. Currently attending Allied Health Institute in Merrillville, Morgan will finish the Cardio- Tech Program in January of 2007. She’ll continue her education by working to become an Echo-Technician. For the last ten years, she has worked for Herreras Towing. They’re kind of like a second family to her.

Morgan has been an active member of the Whiting/Robertsdale Crime Watch since it began in 2003. She took the first step in trying to make a difference when she became a Block Captain, getting to know her neighbors a lot better, and getting the word out about becoming the “eyes and ears” of the Police Department. In March of 2005, Morgan - along with Bonnie Henry and Shawn Turpin - went a step further to become the coordinators of the Whiting/Robertsdale Crime Watch group. Unfortunately, in August of 2006, Morgan had to step down from that position because of family concerns and added responsibilities. According to Morgan, this was actually more of a transition because she was subsequently nominated to become a Board Member of Hammond Neighborhood Crime Watch City-Wide. Morgan felt that being nominated was a great honor and accepted the position immediately. Wanting to make Hammond and Whiting great places to live, she believes that if we all stick together we can make a difference. Morgan thanks everyone who has helped her get to where she is today.

Anna Mamala

Board Member

Anna is a life-long Hammond resident. She began attending the Edison Neighborhood Crime Watch meetings when they first started. Anna comes from a long list of relatives who have served - and are still serving - in law enforcement. “Our Hammond Police Department is a vital component to our city,” Anna said. “I want to encourage residents in my district to become involved, aware, and educated on how to become an active participant. The men and women of our police force can’t be everywhere. Every day is a learning experience. We all need to be that much-needed extra set of eyes and ears for them, because they never know what they are going to be walking into. Being involved in Neighborhood Crime Watch will send that message.” Anna is a graduate if Bloomington’s Indiana University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education, Recreation, with four years of Graduate work in Special Education from Purdue University Calumet.

In 1976, she was honored by the Indiana House of Representatives for bravery and involvement in the apprehension of juveniles during a string of burglaries occuring on the Bloomington campus. “I ripped the shirt off one of the perpetrators, and tackled, and head-locked, the other one,” Anna said. She currently serves as Vice-President on the Hammond School Board, and is Sergeant Of Arms for the Edison Crime Watch District. “We, as residents, need to take a positive and active roll in Hammond. It’s a great city! It’s red hot, and alive!”.

Gwendolyn Brown

Board Member

Gwendolyn was born and raised in Gary, Indiana - graduating from West Side High School in 1980. While living in Chicago, Illinois, and being married to a Chicago Police Officer, she soon realized that Northwest Indiana was her true home. After moving back here, she chose Brook Forest Apartments in the Hessville area of Hammond as her residence. An avid bowler around town and in the Chicagoland area, Gwen worked at Nabisco Brands for 18 years before leaving for health reasons. Wanting to be a part of the growing Economic Development in Hammond, Gwen recently completed a Real Estate course with McColly Realtors and is looking forward to being state-licensed very soon.

Under the leadership of the late Sgt. Gerald Granger from the Hammond Police Department, Gwen chose to become a founding member of Brook Forest Neighborhood Crime Watch. She realized the problems plaguing and affecting the community, and wanted to be a part in making the area safe for all Brook Forest residents. Having two teenage boys and understanding the problems children in Hessville face daily - guns, drugs, and gang violence - her continuing efforts have led her to become the President of Brook Forest’s Neighborhood Ctime Watch group. Her oldest son is a member of the Hammond Police Explorers, a group of young men and women ages 14-21 who are interested in pursuing a career in Law Enforcement. Her youngest son is on the football team at Morton High School, and both sons are members of the Morton Band.

After being nominated to become a member of the Board of Directors for Hammond Neighborhood Crime Watch city-wide, Gwen graciously accepted the position. She is especially happy and excited with all of the new friends she’s encountered while being part of the Brook Forest Neighborhood Crime Watch group. As a new Board member, Gwen hopes to make a difference in the Hammond/Hessvile community.

Becky Ward

Board Member

Becky has been a life-long resident of Hammond. She is a graduate of Morton Senior High School and Calumet College of St. Joseph, with a degree in Business Administartion. Becky is currently the bookkeeper for an attorney in Munster and also serves on the Hammond School Board. She has been named both “Hammond Citizen of the Year” and Indiana’s “Volunteer of the Year” Because of her tireless efforts and many years of service to school-aged children, Becky has always wanted to do her best to keep all students safe. According to Becky, “We need to assist the police department by being their eyes and ears, if we are all to be safe in Hammond.”

Kimberly Poland

Board Member

Kim is a Precinct Committee-Person in South Hammond and attends Crime Watch meetings regularly throughout the city. Kim believes that the number one priority in the City of Hammond must be maintaining the quality of life in our neighborhoods. Prior to becoming a stay-at-home mother of three, Kim worked as a legal secretary in Chicago. She volunteers her time at St. John Bosco church and school as a Room Mother, member of the Altar and Rosary Society, and former Home & School Officer. Kim has spent most of her life as a Hammond resident and has actively supported various groups - and causes - that benefit the city.

Jim Veyette

Board Member

Jim was born and raised in Blue Island, Illinois and served in the United States Navy. He retired after working 40 years as an Industrial Electrician at Globe after they closed down, and also at Midwest Fasteners. Jim has been married to his lovely wife Darlene since 1967, raising seven children. Being very much into family, he is very active with his children and many grandchildren. Residents often see Jim walking around the blocks in his neighborhood with a grandchild or two, or just hanging out with them on his big front porch. He quickly became concerned for the safety of his family and refused to have them put up with crime, especially the obvious crime happening in broad daylight. As a part of Harrison Park Neighborhood Crime Watch, Jim is happy to be in the “neighbors helping neighbors” group, and being instrumental in helping to make Hammond safer.

Dr. Ronald Fary

Board Member

Dr. Ronald Fary has been a Hammond resident all his life. He’s married to his lovely wife Cynthia and is the proud father of Christian, Beth, Camryn, and Noel. A 1987 graduate of the Indiana school of Optometry, Ron operated a private practice for 15 years in Whiting. He also practiced geriatric mobile eye care for 6 years prior to his current association with Senior Eye Associates – an innovative company that brings traditional eye care and the highest-quality optometry services to patients in the comfort of their nursing homes, and assisted living centers. These patients are not necessarily home-bound, but may also include the elderly, disabled, those with other medical issues, or patients who simply don’t have the ability or means to drive to an appointment. “Dealing with those residents on a daily basis who, by no fault of their own, may be a bit more vulnerable or susceptible to being victimized by crime, makes me want to be involved in helping to make our neighborhoods safer,” Dr. Fary says. “Hammond Crime Watch is a great way for neighbors to actually be neighbors. We can’t be afraid to help one another, to call, check up on each other, to be observant - and willing - to get involved. There is great strength in numbers, and we can’t rely on everyone else to do what’s right. Not wanting to get involved has a negative effect on the quality of life on our city.” Ron can be reached at drfaryvisitingvision@comcast.net.