Prattville Police And Crimestoppers To Revamp Neighborhood Watch Program
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Prattville’s neighborhood watch program has been mostly dormant for years, but now the city is teaming up with Central Alabama Crimestoppers to bring it back to life. About 50% to 70% of crimes in Prattville are thefts. So, Calling all Prattville neighborhoods — the police department is looking for your help to start neighborhood watch groups to prevent those crimes from happening. Joanne Anderson has just spent a couple hundred bucks on her new wreaths. “It’s a hassle writing another check out for the cost of it,” Said Anderson. Another check because she says the ones she had before were stolen last week. “We take the wreaths in every night now so they won’t be stolen,” Said Anderson. But she believes having a neighborhood watch sign could deter theft of property crimes from happening. More than just a sign — a neighborhood watch group, one she says has been non-existent in her Woodley Heights neighborhood for at least 15 years. Prattville police department officials say they may have five neighborhoods that have an active neighborhood watch groups. So they’re hoping revamping the program will stick. “If there’s a neighborhood that’s interested in forming a group will go out and do some talks with them and will put signs with them and get out brochures and will help them get it started along with the request of Tony [Garrett’s] help with Crimestoppers,” Said Prattville Police Department’s Asst. Police Chief, Diane Hamm. The Prattville Police Department and Crimestoppers are looking to build the communication gap between the community and police department. They say there’ve been too many thefts in the area… so the concept of nosy neighbor isn’t a bad a idea — especially if that neighbor observes suspicious activity. “If we’re getting people to call us then why not call in and say hey we meet once a month once a week through an email list distribution for we have a Facebook page the police department can use that information,” Said Garrett. The police department realizes people may correspond by email, social media. They may not meet in person. But they’re wanting to get involved with those groups as well. They hope giving groups proper training will put criminals behind bars. If you’re interested in starting a neighborhood watch group in Prattville call Central Alabama Crimestoppers at 215-STOP.
