New Program Aimed At Preventing Neighborhood Crime
By: Scott Packard, SPackard@wdhn.com
Updated: July 20, 2010
Torri Messenger has lived in a Northwest Dothan neighborhood almost 12 years. For her family there's a lot to like. "I like the quietness of the neighborhood, the neighbors. We really like the house. It's close to everything," she said.
The neighborhood bond there runs deep. Torri knows most of her neighbors. In fact, they work together-- keeping an eye out for each other. "The neighbors here are really diligent about strangers and making sure noone comes in or out who is not supposed to be here," Messenger said.
But knowing who's next door is a dying trend. "We see that so many times people don't know their neighbors. They don't know their neighborhood," Dothan Police Corporal Rachel David said.
It's a trend the Dothan Police Department is working to change. "What we hope to do is bring everyone back together-- let neighbors meet neighbors," Cpl. David continued.
To do just that, DPD is launching what they call Project 365. The idea is to get neighbors to be the eyes and ears of neighborhoods-- to help prevent crime 365 days a year.
Organizers plan on going door to door in neighborhoods asking neighbors if they want to be block captains to get the program up and running.
"I think that is a great idea. We have two small children so I'm interested in their safety," Messenger continued.
Police say the programs success will take a group effort-- a friendship-- between neighborhoods and law enforcement. "We like to get out and let people meet us and see first hand that we are concerned about their neighborhood, their homes and their property," Cpl. David said.
Because concern is the top priority.
The neighborhood bond there runs deep. Torri knows most of her neighbors. In fact, they work together-- keeping an eye out for each other. "The neighbors here are really diligent about strangers and making sure noone comes in or out who is not supposed to be here," Messenger said.
But knowing who's next door is a dying trend. "We see that so many times people don't know their neighbors. They don't know their neighborhood," Dothan Police Corporal Rachel David said.
It's a trend the Dothan Police Department is working to change. "What we hope to do is bring everyone back together-- let neighbors meet neighbors," Cpl. David continued.
To do just that, DPD is launching what they call Project 365. The idea is to get neighbors to be the eyes and ears of neighborhoods-- to help prevent crime 365 days a year.
Organizers plan on going door to door in neighborhoods asking neighbors if they want to be block captains to get the program up and running.
"I think that is a great idea. We have two small children so I'm interested in their safety," Messenger continued.
Police say the programs success will take a group effort-- a friendship-- between neighborhoods and law enforcement. "We like to get out and let people meet us and see first hand that we are concerned about their neighborhood, their homes and their property," Cpl. David said.
Because concern is the top priority.
