Tuesday, May 20, 2008
The idea is to be ‘eyes and ears’ for police.
Staff report
YOUNGSTOWN — Everyone should have the freedom to walk out in their neighborhood at night and star gaze.
“Unfortunately, some can’t do that,” Bob Fiatal told those who attended a Block Watch Summit on Monday evening at Choffin Career Center. “We need your help to bring neighborhoods back.”
Fiatal, superintendent of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation near Columbus, said drugs and weapons have brought violence into our communities and crime doesn’t stop at the borders. Block watches, he said, can make communities better.
Roughly 125 men and women from Youngstown and surrounding communities gathered for the summit aimed at encouraging residents to form block watches. They listened to a panel of experts explain the benefits of being the “eyes and ears” for police.
The summit was sponsored by the Mahoning Valley Task Force on Crime and Violence Prevention. Rick George, task force chairman, said no matter where you live, there’s always going to be crime but proactive block watches can make neighborhoods safer.
Mayor Jay Williams said keeping communities safe goes well beyond police and firefighters, it goes to the heart of who makes up a community. “The fact that you’re here — you get it,” he said.
The audience was reminded that Crime Stoppers at (330) 746-CLUE offers rewards for tips and callers can remain anonymous. There’s also a hotline — (330) 744-7606 — for youngsters to call to report bullying or gang activity.
“We, the citizens, have to protect where we live and keep an eye out for each other,” said Willie Williams, Youngstown Block Watch president. “If we see something wrong, contact law enforcement.”
Williams said a block watch can be people from just one block. The main thing, she said, is to get started.
“You are the eyes and ears,” said Youngstown City Prosecutor Jay Macejko. “We need you. We need to break the cycle.”
He said too often police respond to a crime and people in the crowd say they didn’t see anything. If those in a community don’t trust police or police don’t trust back “we’ve lost,” he said.
By joining a block watch, neighbors get to know each other and get to know the officers who patrol their neighborhoods, said Austintown police Chief Bob Gavalier. The result is people and property less attractive to criminals, he said.
The time to meet your neighbor is not after your house gets burglarized, said John Geras of the Ohio Adult Parole Authority. He said sharing information reduces opportunities for criminals.
When neighbors get together, they get involved in eliminating crime, said Youngstown Police Chief Jimmy Hughes. In response to a question about gangs of juveniles, he said roaming kids can be a problem but there will be times this summer when as many as 30 extra officers will be out and can enforce the 11 p.m. curfew.
The mayor said a new squad comprised of city police, sheriff’s deputies and FBI agents will target hot spots this summer. The unit will be out from around 6 p.m. until 2 a.m., he said.