The Plymouth Board of Public Works and Safety gave their blessing to the request of Karen Radkiewicz to begin a Neighborhood Watch Program in the Ease LaPorte Street area.
Radkiewicz said they have experienced four instances of vandalism or robbery in the neighborhood since March with the most recent one being three weeks ago.
Radkiewicz has called for an initial meeting of the neighbors on Sunday, August 4th at 1 p.m. to see if there is interest in starting a Neighborhood Watch Program in the area.
Councilman Jeff Houin asked if she planned to coordinate the program with the police department or needed any assistance from the city.
Radkiewicz said she has spoken to a couple police officers and they don’t know anything about starting the program. She said she was willing to have their assistance but wasn’t sure how to obtain it.
Mayor Senter asked Police Chief Dave Bacon if an officer could attend the initial meeting and he confirmed that one would.
City Attorney Sean Surrisi asked it the Neighborhood Watch Program was a sanctioned program and she said yes, nationwide with flyers and stickers that can be used to inform criminals that a Watch Program is in place in the neighborhood.
Radkiewicz said she would be looking for volunteers to work shifts watching the neighborhood.
Wondering what the Neighborhood Watch program is all about? From their website it says, “In essence, Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program that stresses education and common sense. It teaches citizens how to help themselves by identifying and reporting suspicious activity in their neighborhoods. In addition, it provides citizens with the opportunity to make their neighborhoods safer and improve the quality of life. Neighborhood Watch groups typically focus on observation and awareness as a means of preventing crime and employ strategies that range from simply promoting social interaction and “watching out for each other” to active patrols by groups of citizens.
