NCJ Number
59052
Date Published
1978
Length
120 pages
Annotation
FOCUSING ON CITIZEN ANTICRIME ACTIVITIES (TOWNWATCH) IN DELAWARE COUNTY, PA., THIS MANUAL DETAILS ALL PHASES OF TOWNWATCH ORGANIZATION AND OPERATION FOR COMMUNITIES INTERESTED IN ESTABLISHING TOWNWATCH IN THEIR AREAS.
Abstract
TOWNWATCH IS AN ALL-VOLUNTEER COMMUNITY CRIME-PREVENTION PROGRAM WHICH IS DESIGNED PRIMARILY TO ENCOURAGE CITIZENS TO REPORT SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES IN THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS TO THE POLICE, THEREBY INCREASING CITIZEN AND POLICE COOPERATION, AND COMMUNITY COMMITMENT AND COHESION NECESSARY TO DETER CRIME. BASED ON THE EXPERIENCES OF TOWNWATCH MEMBERS IN DELAWARE COUNTY AND OTHER AREAS, DISCUSSION CENTERS ON METHODS OF ORGANIZING THE COMMUNITY THROUGH THE EFFORTS OF CITIZEN ORGANIZERS; STRUCTURING THE TOWNWATCH PROGRAM BY USING AN ORGANIZATIONAL CHART, ESTABLISHING BYLAWS, AND ACQUIRING MEMBERS; AND DRAWING UP OPERATING PROCEDURES FOR PATROL RULES, PATROL EQUIPMENT, BASE OPERATIONS, TRAINING PROGRAMS, RADIO OPERATION PROCEDURES (CITIZEN BAND-EQUIPPED VEHICLES), AND PATROL SCHEDULING. TO MAINTAIN A TOWNWATCH PROGRAM, FUNDRAISING TECHNIQUES ARE NOTED, AS WELL AS POSSIBLE EXPENSES AND INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS. SINCE MOST VOLUNTEERS USE CITIZEN BAND (CB) RADIOS IN THEIR VEHICLES, THE USE OF THE TWO-WAY RADIO (CITIZENS RADIO SERVICE) IS DETAILED, WITH EMPHASIS ON DELAWARE COUNTY'S NEW 'UHF-FM' SYSTEM, A PROFESSIONAL RADIO SYSTEM SIMILAR TO THE CB SYSTEM BUT WITH MORE EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION. POLICE-TOWNWATCH RELATIONS AND THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A TOWNWATCH COUNCIL ALSO ARE DISCUSSED. OTHER COMMUNITY WATCH PROGRAMS, SUCH AS NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH, BLOCK WATCH, TENANT WATCH, AND THE WATCHDOG PROGRAM ARE NOTED. NUMEROUS SAMPLE FORMS, BULLETINS, MAPS, CHARTS, AND DIAGRAMS ARE INCLUDED. (WJR)