CCW FINANCES -

I received several donations after last month’s newsletter. We appreciate every expression of financial support we receive. The money is spent on newsletter distribution with very little going on assets and equipment when they are needed. For the financial expense, our citywide community enjoys many worthwhile benefits as we provide crime prevention information and tips to our members and neighborhood leaders. Donors, thank you!

BURGLARIES - The crime of burglary is still relatively high in many sections of the city in comparison to some of the other crimes. Thinking in terms of crime prevention, what can we do to reduce this type of crime within our neighborhoods? Considering that the burglar doesn’t want to be seen committing the crime, anything we do to give the burglar the perception that he is currently being watched or CAN be observed will present a deterrent to the crime. Lights that are motion-sensor activated at night, a neighborhood watch that not only observes suspicious activities but also maintains some type of method of checking out the activity such as calling the resident and/or the police are a couple of deterrents. Landscaping your property to eliminate observation obstacles reduces any "hiding" advantages a criminal might seek. Interior lights and/or radios on timers give the appearance that someone is home. I have talked about outside signs, tracks in the snow on driveways and on the sidewalk; sidewalks cleaned; packages, mail, and/or newspapers left on porches that display the lack of occupancy in the house. There are so many actions to consider as a preventative to burglary that you just need to look at the total situation and choose the ones you feel will benefit you the most.

Remember that you cannot do everything by yourself. If it is not a "neighborhood watch", make it a neighbor watch. Communicate with your neighbors as to what you are doing and what they should watch for while you are away. You should give them a means of contacting you in the event of an emergency also. The summer months and vacation time is not far away so start now to add CRIME PREVENTION to your travel plans.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT -

"Theft from auto" is nothing more than a "burglary" from a car. Can Crime Prevention actions reduce victims in this area of crime? YES!!!!

NEW NEWSLETTER RECIPIENTS -

The rest of this newsletter is addressed to the new neighborhood president recipients of our monthly publication. Concerned Citizen’s Watch is an organization of neighborhood watch groups from around the city. We aid the Fort Wayne Police Department in the fight against criminal activities by being "extra eyes and ears" of the police. We try to observe the characteristics of activities in our neighborhoods and report the suspicious ones to the police. In no way do we try to "catch" any criminal, but leave that action for the police. Many neighborhoods share the same types of crimes so our meetings try to discuss the successful problem solving methods tried by other neighborhoods. Our general meetings are open to neighborhood presidents and/or their representatives each third Tuesday of every month. Final thought - Crime Prevention is an education that you can carry with you wherever you go.