You may not connect crime-fighting with bicycling, but in Oak Forest, a mass of 200 riders was rolling the old fashioned way.
"In my opinion, fighting crime is knowing who your neighbors are and who's around you to support you," resident Dean Duplantis said.
The Oak Forest Homeowners Association hosted its inaugural 'Le Tour de Oak Forest' on Saturday -- an 11-mile ride through all 18 sections of the neighborhood.
"We've experienced so much growth," Jim Huddleston said. "New blood coming in, and it's really been a good bonding situation."
Oak Forest has seen a recent spike in crime, including, car burglaries and thefts at neighborhood churches, but the HOA is gearing up to put an end to it.
"Yes, you're going to have to have an extra porch light in the back yard and the front yard. Yes, you may have to put up security," Lucy Fisher Cain with the HOA said. "But the best way, as anybody will tell you, is just to know your neighbors."
Once strangers and now neighbors, these residents are sharing their spirit, to build a safer community.
"I think it will continue to be a community that people believe in and want to deter crime," resident P.J. Jackson said.
We're told this event also raised funds for a neighbor who lost everything in a fire two days ago.
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