Neighborhood Watch

Hello!

I wanted to take a moment to let everyone know how the Neighborhood watch is going.

I've been in touch with the Provo police department and they were extremely helpful in wanting us to be successful in this endeavor.  The following is the email I received from the Community Policing Coordinator:

It is unfortunate that your neighborhood has been subject to property thefts and damage.  It sounds like you have done the best thing as far as prevention measures go - educating for the purpose of crime prevention.  We cannot stress enough, the importance of securing our homes and property to avoid falling victim to the opportunist burglar or thief.  Whilst this simple step may not stop every criminal, is goes a long way to making their job harder, and less likely to be successful.  This following link is great resource online that you and your neighbors may wish to make use of, if you haven't already seen it. http://www.ncpc.org/topics/home-and-neighborhood-safety

It is great that you wish to set up a Neighborhood Watch Program.  The Officer who is over your Neighborhood is Officer Patrick.  Please do not hesitate to contact him with any questions you may have about safety, security, or help with your NW program.  Our officers are able to attend Neighborhood Meetings - I would make contact with your Officer ahead of time so that he may be able to schedule it in accordingly.  His direct line is 801 852 7352, and he also has email rpatrick@provo.utah.gov .  His work schedule actually runs Tuesday through Friday, so he will be informed of this correspondence tomorrow morning. 

We also have a couple within the City who are very active in Neighborhood Watch, and they offer free training and advice to others wishing to start up a Watch area.  Their contact information is: Mr & Mrs Gallagher, 801 372 5571.  They are members of McGruff Safehouses, and the Utah County Crime Prevention Council.  Kristi Jensen is another community resource you may wish to contact - she coordinates Mobile Watch, and has run the program for over 10 years.  This differs from NW in that it is an active citizen patrol.  If you wish to have more information on this program, please let me know and I will have her call you.  Or you can email her direct at myrivergrove@yahoo.com . 

With regards to Extra Patrols, I have added your area to our 'Extra Patrol' List, which both COP officers and Patrol Officers make note of.

I hope I have covered most of your concerns - I will contact Officer Patrick tomorrow and have him call you.  Please do not hesitate to contact me should you have further questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Janna-Lee Haigh

Community Policing Coordinator

I have spoken with Officer Patrick and he is on board with attending any meetings we might have to help train us on how to use the Neighborhood Watch program effectively.  

What I most need is someone or a couple of people who are willing to lead this project.  I can help in any way needed, but my time is limited as I am trying to work with lawyers to get paperwork ready for our big vote coming up.

If you are interested, or know of anyone who is, please contact me and I can forward all the information to you.

Thank you,

Emily