For over thirty years law enforcers and their civilian partners have been working together to reduce crime and improve the quality of life in neighborhoods around the country. Today with continued emphasis on crime reduction and the added task of fighting the war on terrorism, Neighborhood Watch is more important than ever. Throughout the country citizens are being empowered and mobilized as they participate in proactive partnerships with their local law enforcement agencies. Traditionally a Neighborhood Watch group is led by a community member who is actively involved and dedicated to the program. Often these group leaders are selected because of their previous crime prevention experience and training or because of their interest in the program. Some Neighborhood Watch leaders are chosen because of their desire to reach out to and work with the community, while others were selected because of their communication skills or abilities to plan, organize and mobilize others. The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office provides information, literature, training, and a host of other important assets to form or revitalize a Neighborhood Watch group. Whether you are a State award winning group such as we have in Columbia Township or a few people meeting for the first time to discuss problems in your neighborhood, the Sheriff’s Office would like to help. Sheriff Dale Gribler has said that “They (Neighborhood Watch) have really been instrumental in helping us, my hat is definitely off to them.” Neighborhood Watch in the News Neighborhood Watch named Best in State Meth Makers, Users Beware Columbia gets Neighborhood Watch Award Granholm Impressed with Area Group COLUMBIA TOWNSHIP NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH Columbia Township Neighborhood Watch is the largest and most successful neighborhood watch organization in Van Buren County. In addition to helping keep its community safe, the group also organizes findraising events to sustain itself, like an annual pancake breakfast (pictured above). Its success has sparked other communities to start their own watch groups. Columbia Township Neighborhood Watch member Vita Pike was presented with a community service award from neighborhood watch and another from the Sheriff's Office at the group's June 2008 meeting. Vita was working at the Mr. Grocery gas station, 53941 CR 388 in Grand Junction, on June 8th, 2007, when two men robbed the store at gunpoint. Vita was able to keep calm and utilize skills learned from neighborhood watch meetings about certain identifiers needed for police to start locating possible suspects after a robbery. Thanks to Vita, both men -- who were from the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek area -- were subsequently identified. Vita also testified at the trial, as well. Both subjects, who were repeat criminal violators, were sentenced to prison for the crime. Pictured are Sheriff Dale Gribler, Pike, John Huizenga (Columbia township coordinator) and Undersheriff Paul Edwards. Great Job Vita and thanks for all you do for your community! Welcome Adam and Barb Hinz, the newest Columbia Neighborhood Watch members! Vehicles used by Columbia Township Neighborhood Watch members while on patrol. What are some of the benefits of starting a watch group? Improved communications with Law Enforcement Reduction in crime A more secure and better prepared hometown A more united community 5 Steps to starting a Neighborhood Watch Recruit and organize as many neighbors as possible Contact the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office and schedule a meeting Discuss community concerns and develop an action plan Hold regular meetings and train Implement a phone tree and take action steps Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office Contacts for Neighborhood Watch Sgt. David Walker 269-657-3101 Ext 821 : walkerd@vbco.org Reserve Lt. Steve Starner 269-657-3101 Ext 904 : starners@vbco.org Bring McGruff to your next community function! McGruff "The Crime Dog" is available for any community or public relations events. Please contact either Sgt. David Walker or Reserve Lt. Steve Starner at the information above... and take a BITE out of crime! Neighborhood Watch is Homeland Security in your hometown! Meet the Challenge! Get Involved!