Is crime an accepted practice these days? Not if the Police Community Relations Committee has anything to say about it. Consisting of Virgil Wright, chairman, Ed Saunders, Ed Kammerer, Anna Busch, Blanche Reel and Bob Newsham, the committee acts as liaison to promote better understanding and cooperation between the community and the police department.
Since block leaders are ex-officio members of the committee, Mr. Wright hopes the block units will reactivate after their summer slumber. He also urges blocks that have not organized to do so because an organized block unit has a network of communication to deal with difficulties and provides a sounding board for local problems.
Mr. Wright stresses the need for “neighbor awareness” if ours is to be a safe community. The block watchers,, by being aware and concerned, have proved an effective crime deterrent. They keep tuned in for strange noises and unfamiliar people wandering through the neighborhood. Frequently, as they go about their housework, they look out the window to check for anything unusual. Block watchers have attended training sessions to acquaint themselves with methods of recognizing and reporting crime.
Another project of the Police Community Relations Committee is a study of the effectiveness and availability of burglar alarm systems. Mr. Saunders and Mr. Kammerer are presently preparing information on various systems. In the meantime, the committee reminds us that a good neighbor is his brother’s keeper.
Originally published in The Paper, October 1970.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1970_10.pdf, printed page(s) 9.
