DWS1117
Member
National Night Out one of best community weapons in fighting crime
July 30, 2003
For those who may not have noticed, the police can't do it all when it comes to fighting and preventing crime.
Some local law enforcement agencies last year said at best they can hope to clear only 20 percent or less of property crimes. The state average is even lower.
And unless we want to triple our tax rates to put a policeman on every corner, the reality is that crime fighting depends on the work of a community's residents. It's something all of us can do and we don't mean strapping on a gun and walking the beat around your neighborhood. Tuesday's coming observance of the National Night Out crime and drug prevention program is an example of one of the best weapons we can wield in keeping our communities safe. By just getting to know our neighbors, taking an interest in their lives and property, and being willing to get involved, all of us can play a role in keeping crime from taking root in our neighborhoods.
National Night Out was developed in 1984 as a crime prevention program that emphasizes building a partnership between the police and the community.
Community involvement in crime prevention is generated through a multitude of local events, such as block parties, cookouts, parades, contests, youth activities and seminars. The Woodlands Watch program is one successful example of this concept. It was named a National Award Winner for its participation in the 18th annual National Night Out, and it has consistently been honored for its effective efforts in fighting crime.
Neighborhoods throughout Montgomery County tonight will participate in the National Night Out with a variety of events.
Nationwide, participation in the event has increased from 2.5 million people in 400 communities in 1984 to more than 32 million people in 9,530 communities in 1999.
And it can make a difference. A 1995 study of Chicago neighborhoods published in the Journal Science determined that the best predictor of crime levels was "collective efficacy," which the authors described as mutual trust among neighbors coupled with a willingness to intervene for the betterment of the community. The crime rates of neighborhoods that scored high on "collective efficacy" were 40 percent below those of neighborhoods that scored lower. By simply doing the things that make any community better -- getting to know and caring for our neighbors, taking the initiative to solve problems or notify authorities -- we can have an impact on crime.
This coming Tuesday, neighbors throughout Montgomery County will be leaving their homes to attend National Night Out events and take responsibility for their communities. We hope you're there.
©The Courier 2003
I would feel comfortable seeing my neighbors walking around the neighborhood with a gun strapped on. You would have to be pretty stupid to try something in a neighborhood where everyone was visably packing.
July 30, 2003
For those who may not have noticed, the police can't do it all when it comes to fighting and preventing crime.
Some local law enforcement agencies last year said at best they can hope to clear only 20 percent or less of property crimes. The state average is even lower.
And unless we want to triple our tax rates to put a policeman on every corner, the reality is that crime fighting depends on the work of a community's residents. It's something all of us can do and we don't mean strapping on a gun and walking the beat around your neighborhood. Tuesday's coming observance of the National Night Out crime and drug prevention program is an example of one of the best weapons we can wield in keeping our communities safe. By just getting to know our neighbors, taking an interest in their lives and property, and being willing to get involved, all of us can play a role in keeping crime from taking root in our neighborhoods.
National Night Out was developed in 1984 as a crime prevention program that emphasizes building a partnership between the police and the community.
Community involvement in crime prevention is generated through a multitude of local events, such as block parties, cookouts, parades, contests, youth activities and seminars. The Woodlands Watch program is one successful example of this concept. It was named a National Award Winner for its participation in the 18th annual National Night Out, and it has consistently been honored for its effective efforts in fighting crime.
Neighborhoods throughout Montgomery County tonight will participate in the National Night Out with a variety of events.
Nationwide, participation in the event has increased from 2.5 million people in 400 communities in 1984 to more than 32 million people in 9,530 communities in 1999.
And it can make a difference. A 1995 study of Chicago neighborhoods published in the Journal Science determined that the best predictor of crime levels was "collective efficacy," which the authors described as mutual trust among neighbors coupled with a willingness to intervene for the betterment of the community. The crime rates of neighborhoods that scored high on "collective efficacy" were 40 percent below those of neighborhoods that scored lower. By simply doing the things that make any community better -- getting to know and caring for our neighbors, taking the initiative to solve problems or notify authorities -- we can have an impact on crime.
This coming Tuesday, neighbors throughout Montgomery County will be leaving their homes to attend National Night Out events and take responsibility for their communities. We hope you're there.
©The Courier 2003
I would feel comfortable seeing my neighbors walking around the neighborhood with a gun strapped on. You would have to be pretty stupid to try something in a neighborhood where everyone was visably packing.
