Fighting the forces of crime, excessive development and real estate entrepreneurs, members of a State College Borough community action group are on the defensive to preserve their traditional way of life.

The Neighborhood Conservation Action Plan Project Management Team, consisting of representatives from neighborhood groups, student organizations, fraternities and development firms, yesterday revealed its long awaited 56-page action plan to the State College Planning Commission.

Although the report was eagerly received by the commission, some members of the neighborhood group fear it will be lost in an endless review process between the commission and the State College Borough Council.

"I'm very afraid that if this takes the usual route, it will be watered down and all our work will have been in vain," said James Deeslie, president of the Highlands Civic Association.

Councilman Jerry Wettstone, liaison to the planning commission, said after the meeting: "Knowing the time that they've spent on the issue and their concern for their neighborhoods, I can't blame them for their sense of fear . . . but it may very well take council two or three months to digest the report."

The plan -- which will be discussed in detail at a public forum tonight --attempts to preserve the structure and stability of the neighborhoods by diverting traffic from residential sections. It also suggests using zoning to further protect the neighborhoods from development.

"If we do not prevent the negative from occurring, then we should not be surprised to find a declining quality of life," said Ruth Fergus, vice president of the College Heights Association.

To help increase public safety and cut down on crime, the report says police foot patrols should be assigned, street lighting should be increased and drug education programs continued. Also, the plan calls for the creation of a police commission to consist of a council member and representatives from neighborhood and student organizations. The commission would help determine police policy.

Another concern addressed in the report is the rapid conversion of family dwellings into rental properties.

Deeslie blamed developers and lack of enforcement of building codes for the disintegration of several residential neighborhoods. Families must be kept in the borough to preserve its tax base, he said.

Commission members and others commended the project management team for their work and promised to move swiftly in reviewing it.

"I can't imagine a better use of intelligence and concerned citizens," said Project Management Team Chairman and commission member Christina Rambeau.