The AreaWatch Community Watch Group is seeking volunteers for our own Citizens On Patrol program for our neighborhood! At our last CWG Meeting on June 19th, we had 8 neighbors sign up to participate in patrolling our streets watching out for you. Will you join us?

MORE INFO ON THE COP PROGRAM:
The Citizens on Patrol (COP) program is recognized across the nation as a first-rate crime prevention program. In Arlington alone there are about 100 COP members patrolling the city at all hours of the day. The COP members act as the "eyes and ears" of the Arlington Police Department by patrolling their neighborhoods and reporting suspicious people and criminal activities. Because of their generously donated time, more offenses are reported and more suspects are apprehended.

-Lt. Scott Brown, APD

TRAINING:
Before becoming an active member of the COP program, all eligible volunteers are required to attend a six-hour orientation. A few of the topics covered include: How to prepare for a patrol, the standard operating procedures, what to expect in the field, legal matters and scenario training. Members are not expected to confront suspects or attempt to make an arrest. Their job is to observe and report, not observe and confront.

In addition, each COP member is required to attend a four-hour in-service training session once a year to maintain their active status. Members are encouraged to attend as many sessions as they can to obtain more information about the different functions within the police department.

EQUIPMENT:
COP members are required to wear police-issued vests and their volunteer ID badge while on patrol. Each COP group will receive a set of magnetic car signs, which must be displayed on the vehicle being used during patrol shifts.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Must be 18 years old.
• Must successfully complete a background check.
• Must be an active member of a Community Watch Group in the same area.

COP SUCCESS STORIES:

Valley Spring COP Members actions result in an arrest.
On May 6th, 2007 at approximately 0600 hours, COP Member Steve Messina was patrolling his beat when he noticed a vehicle driving erratically. Messina of the Valley Spring COP Group called 911 and advised the dispatcher of the vehicle description and its direction of travel. Arlington police officers responded to the location and began following the vehicle, conducting a traffic stop. After investigation, the driver was taken into custody for suspicion of DWI and was transported to the Arlington City Jail. If Steve had not been out patrolling his beat and observed this driver, an unfortunate or fatal accident could have occurred. Thanks to Steve, Officers were able to remove this driver from the roadway beforehand.

Fitzgerald C.O.P. member finds a ghastly site at the Johnson Station Cemetery.
Early Sunday morning on June 10th, 2007, C.O.P. member Bonnie Bilodeau was patrolling in the area of the Johnson Station Cemetery. As she approached the Mayfield side of the cemetery, she drove upon an unfortunate site. It appeared that an unknown vehicle had driven through the fence of the property and damaged several tombstones within the cemetery.

Bonnie then called 911 to report the incident. Arlington Police Officers responded to the scene. Bonnie then left to allow the Officers to begin their investigation. Once she was out of the area, she noticed a vehicle that appeared to be abandoned in an empty lot. The vehicle had front end damage, two flat tires and the top wire of a chain link fence hanging from the rear end.

Bonnie again called the Arlington Police Department who alerted the investigating Officers at the cemetery of her findings. After investigation, the suspect driver was located. The care takers of the cemetery were also advised and wrote a kind thank you letter to Bonnie.

The actions of C.O.P. member Bonnie Bilodeau continue to have a strong reflection of what citizens can accomplish when we all look out for each other and the areas of our communities.

PLEASE CONSIDER JOINING OUR EFFORTS!
Contact Doug Arnold with an email to: to sign up in time for the July 26 orientation class for the COP Program.

If we want our neighborhood to be safe, we must be the eyes and ears of the police department. Don't sit back and let somebody else do it -- do your part!