LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Watching Out for Each Other |
by Mark Aguirre |
With spring right around the corner an annual ritual involving our homes begins that usually includes spring-cleaning, gardening, and preparing for visits from friends and family. Perhaps now is also the time we should ask ourselves how safe our homes and neighborhoods are from intruders? The Rehoboth Beach Police Department is currently developing a Neighborhood Watch Program, which when combined with other safety programs will help us answer such questions. Before Chief of Police Keith Banks was promoted to his current position Detective Paul Parsons asked him what he would do if he were put in charge of the Rehoboth Beach Police. Banks replied by saying that he wanted to do a better job at partnering with the community. Within the first year of becoming chief of police he asked Parsons to be in charge of the new Neighborhood Watch Program. The program, announced at a community meeting last fall, drew over a dozen citizens from throughout the city. Banks and Parsons explained that they were not expecting to have neighbors patrolling our streets, flashlights in hand wearing military-style berets. Instead they were looking to discourage crime by improving communication between the community, businesses, and the Police Department through partnerships with volunteers willing to become block captains. After splitting the city into north and south sides, Detective Parsons began looking for coordinators for each section. Stan Mills of Maryland Avenue and Hoyte Decker of Laurel Street stepped forward to volunteer. About the program Mills explains, "The Neighborhood Watch Program involves three steps. First: be more observant and note anything suspicious. Second: report such activity to the police or block captain. Third: if the police know of past criminal activity they contact block captains to get that information to their neighbors." Mills and his wife, Marcia, hosted a meeting in February and have begun signing up block captains on the north side. Decker has scheduled a meeting on the south side for March 20th at 7:00 p.m. at his (and wife Sonie's) home at 214 Laurel Street. Decker, who was involved in a similar program in Maryland, says, "We need to create a network so that if something happens they know to call their block captain or the police department. A lot of people are reluctant to call the police and are more comfortable speaking to a neighbor." Detective Parsons says, "I'm happy with the enthusiasm for the program and glad to see the community getting involved. But, we need more block captains." Chief Banks added that he believes it will take a year to have the program in place and operating. Parsons also explains that there are other programs aimed at keeping us safe that include Operation ID, home security evaluations, automobile watch, free gunlocks, and shop lifting/counterfeit seminars for businesses. Operation ID is an important program that helps discourage theft and makes it easier to replace property in case of loss. The program asks that we take an inventory of important property items and their corresponding serial numbers. Then a special identifying number is engraved on each item that will help aid in reclaiming that item if stolen. Once the inventory is complete a copy is given to the police department. Program participants are then presented with Operation ID window stickers that are used to help discourage burglary. Another program includes home security evaluations. The Rehoboth Beach Police Department will send a representative to your home to conduct a security check used to evaluate its safety. There are certain measures that can be taken to help make our homes less of a target for burglary. These include giving our homes a lived-in look by using lighting that turns itself on and off when we are away from home. Another precaution includes trimming bushes and trees that can be used as cover by intruders to break into a nearby window or door. To get involved in the Neighborhood Watch Program contact, Detective Paul Parsons at 302-227-2577, Stan Mills at 302-227-6032 or Hoyte Decker at 302-227-7824. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 12, No. 02, March 8, 2002. |