Crime prevention is an ongoing effort in our Skinker-DeBaliviere area. Recent statistics show great strides have been made in the past few months to prevent crime. We do need to remind ourselves, though, of the many proven programs in order to keep up the good work. Operation Ident is a program of marking valuables with your driver’s license number in order to make it identifiable in case of theft. Operation Ident makes an item difficult to fence and burglars steer clear of residences marked with an ident sticker. Whistlestop means carrying a whistle which can be used in emergencies to alert neighbors of trouble. If the whistle is carried in plain sight it can successfully deter would-be pursesnatchers. Crimeblockers is the new name for Blockwatchers. Nothing has been changed but the name. For those of you who are new to St. Louis, Crimeblockers are people who have taken special training from the police and been given a number which they use when reporting a crime in progress. The police, because of the Crimeblocker number, realize the caller has been trained to be alert to problems and give the call immediate attention. Citizens may also use the “Secret Witness” program. Anyone wishing to remain completely anonymous in reporting continuing criminal activities may call 231-0425 and ask for the Secret Witness operator. You are given a number and need not give your name. The St. Louis Police Department’s Burglary Prevention Unit is available to all of us who want an expert’s opinion on how to make our homes burglar-proof. There is no charge for the service. Further information concerning all of these is available from Women’s Crusade Against Crime.
Originally published in The Paper, October 1975.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1975_10.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
