Police Encourage Residents To Join Crime Watch Program

By Andrew Gorosko

As part of its crime prevention program, the police department is encouraging groups of neighbors to form Neighborhood Crime Watch programs in their areas to protect against residential burglaries, thefts, and other crimes.

To explain how the Neighborhood Crime Watch program operates, police have scheduled an informational session on crime prevention for the public from to 7 to 9 pm on Thursday, April 10, at Booth Library, 25 Main Street.

At the session, police also will explain their home inspection program, which is keyed to making homes more secure. Personal safety also will be discussed.

Police Lieutenant George Sinko is supervising the crime prevention program. Patrol officers Maryhelen McCarthy, David Kullgren, and Andrew Stinson are serving as the police department’s new crime prevention officers.

Officer Kullgren said police will help neighborhood groups organize Neighborhood Crime Watch programs. Under the plan, groups of neighbors agree to be observant of suspicious activity in the neighborhood, staying in touch with their neighbors, and making police aware of unusual activity.

Participating neighborhoods display street signs, which inform passers-by that a neighborhood observation program is in effect, serving as a deterrent to crime.

Police meet with participants to set up such a program. Police would periodically check with participants to learn how the program is running.

In conjunction with crime watch programs, police also will counsel residents about home security measures, including advice on lighting, locks, doors, windows, and burglar alarms. Police will discuss measures that property owners can take to make their properties less desirable targets for intruders.

Officer Kullgren, who has a degree in architectural engineering, said he plans to conduct home inspections for residents as part of the police department’s crime prevention program.

Officer McCarthy said her efforts in the program will be focused on how people can maintain their personal safety, with an emphasis on counseling the elderly. Being aware of personal safety involves preventing opportunities for crime, she said.

Officer Stinson is expected to focus his efforts on counseling youths about crime prevention.

Police have a 12-page crime prevention and security manual for distribution to the public, which addresses suspicious activity involving vehicles, persons, and property. The pamphlet also addresses the Emergency 911 telephone system, as well as developing good habits and practices to prevent crime.