Maybe it's just me, but I'm a pretty observant fella' - if something is "outa' the ordinary" - I catch it pretty quick. I have no problem calling 911 if it looks like a crime is about to happen or is in progress. I wonder how many citizens of Clovis, who know in their gut - that something wrong is happening, but either don't really care - or don't think that they can make a difference. Maybe a lot of folks, don't really know how to be obeservant?
I keep thinking, with almost everyone I know having a cell phone - couldn't we all become "eyes and ears" for law enforcement? That is - if we really care enough about crime in our city, or the well being of our fellow citizens. I'm not talking about overloading the police department with nonsense calls - I'm just talking about really observing what is going on around us and having the discernment to know what to report and what not to.
Maybe the police department could teach a workshop on this subject? Point out what is reportable and what isn't.
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A recent article in the Clovis News Journal, "Cops & Courts 10-26" talked about “Code Blue,” a volunteer citizens patrol which basically does this very thing, but on a much smaller scale. Interested persons can meet at the Clovis PD on the 1st Tuesday of every month at 6PM. For information, contact Lt. Patrick Whitney at the Clovis Police Department, 763-9436. To read the article in the CNJ, go to: http://www.clovis-news-nm.com/engine.pl?station=clovis&template=storyfull.html&id=2482 It's a great idea if it is handled correctly.
Tomdifran:
Good thinking. I'd be interested to know what law enforcement officials would do with observations like that. I could be wrong, but they may not be prepared to take in or manage such unsolicited observations.
You may, however, be intrigued by an initiative I'm part of at Minnesota Public Radio called Public Insight Journalism. The idea is to solicit knowledge and expertise from our audience and beyond, and to use that info. to inform and improve our news coverage.
We've got a lot of issues to work through, some are technical, some are logistical. But we think it's a powerful idea. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
All the best,
ahaeg
Google on "citizens on patrol" or "neighborhood watch"