I wonder

So after the shoot out that occurred on my street in south Renton, the boys in blue were present on Friday night and intercepted a hall full of out of control party-goers. Hooray! This street harbors a nice mix of folks- some own their homes some rent. Here is the place where we all retreat to at the end of the day to our nests; a place where we should feel safe. This wasn't the case after the shoot out the other night; it left some wanting to move, some angry, some scared and me thankful that none of my neighbors had been hurt or  even killed .This is not what I want to have happen to me or anyone on my street. Because we are reporting a disturbance.
I was getting ready to take out my compost when I noticed about 8 to 12 young men that were loitering and mingling in front of our house even trespassing into the side yard between my neighbor and us. Something about their demeanor and language gave me reason to wait and see what was happening with the young punks acting so suspicously. I shouldn't have to fearful of going out in my yard at any time, yet I was. There was a voice within me that cautioned me to not reveal myself or confront these  punks. Moments later gunfire broke out, one of the shooters was standing by our car in the street. This was the type of incident that I expected after a summer of increasing disturbances that often followed the parties and gathering at a rental hall near us.
 I wonder what the most effective way to get this type of behavior eliminated from our neighborhood would be? Police suggested a block watch group, neighbors want to go talk to City Hall, some just want to move. What do you think? This incident has drawn us as neighbors to start talking to each other which is a very good thing. I wonder how to keep this connection going...how have other neighborhood groups started and kept going? Any other great block watch groups or stories out there? Please share, I want to see more pride of home ownership , more awareness and support for our neighbors and more fun would be great too!