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WHJITBY FREE PRESS. WEDNESDAY. MAY 25,.1988, PAGE 21 Police designate liaison officer for Neighborhood Watch As a forerunner in crime 4 prevention strategies,' Durham Regional Police have launched stage three of the successful Neighborhood Watch program. ~Ii Selected- uniformed offlicers will be designated as "Neighborhood Watch liaison officers" for their respective patrol zones, whereby the officers (while on regular patrol) will meet and exchange valuable information with Neighborhood Watch organizers in their areas. Deputy Chief Dave Edwards said that this. third stage is vitally needed and wiIl become a permanent communication system between the Neighborhood Watch groups and the force. It is extremely important that constantly updated information be exchanLyed continuallv between the 'Watches' and the operational zone officers," he said. "Citizens should be informed of suspicious persons and vehicles, articles stolen, criminal activity and criminal methods of operation taking place within their neighborhoods if they are to assist the police and effectively reduce crime. This valuable information would also reinforce the consequence of good home security measures already taught to the homeowners." Edwards went on to say that at the same time, operational zone. officers must be advised of any suspicious or actual criminal activity taking place within their patrol zones. Additionally, officers would receive useful knowledge on undesirables and vehicles and unnatural intrusions into the neighborhood, which may lead to further'investigation and possible arTs. 'is a natural phenomenon for honest, upstanding citizens to want to help the police. They feel a sense of attribution toward the betterment of the community and security of their neighborhood," he said. Edwards feels that people want to be 'in the know" and be part of their policing system, so to speak. He says they have a tendency to shy away from the police, however, because of the unknown. "Contact with the people is usually minimal and frequently has negative overtones. More significantly, communications with the police is often one way," he said. "With this in mind, we can begin to understand why people are at times, disappointed, irritated and even show resentment toward the police, although they may. in fact, be- law- abiding citizens." Edwards further stated that by creating a liaison between the Neighborhood Watch members and the operational zone officers, an effective two-way commu- nication system can be developed. By meeting with the community on a regular basis, the force would mitigate any disaffection. * "The enthusiasm and genuine efforts of the people could evolve into a valuable- asset and the community and the force would benefit greatly from the rapport created between the citizens and the officers," he said. Neighborhood Watch is neighborhood involvement, a "tself-help" crime prevention program to reduce threats of crime. It is a network of concemned citizens "watching out" for their* neighbor's property. Neighborhood Watch members communicate with each other and should communicate with the police, regarding crime related problems and potential crime development occurring within the neighbor'hoods. There are now 55 high quality "Neighborhood Watches" in the region, serving 13,339 houses, according to Edwards. "By far the majority of homeowners areý very active, producing excellent resuits in lessening cime in their communities," he said. Edwards indicated that stage one was initiated back in 1983, when the first Neighborhood Watch was endorsed in Oshawa. Stage two took place in November Of 1986, when the force perceived the Neighborhood Watch program to be so valuable that it hired a civilian employee to co-ordinate the program on a full time basis. The deputy chief advised that stage three has been installed in Whitby as a pilot project for a minimum of 12 months. He said that two Whitby uniformed officers have been assigned andt the community ser-vices bureau will monitor the endeavor for the next year ýbefore expanding to other municipalities. Edwards said that in addition to the officers' meeting with the Neighborhood Watch organizers, they will also be getting out of their cruisers and chatting with the members of the community. 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