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First Community Watch Meeting Leads to Increase Communication

Friday 11th of February 2011

WENDELL – February 10, 2011: Forty citizens came out to the Community Watch meeting on Tuesday, February 8th. The meeting, held at the Town of Wendell Town Hall, is the first of four for 201l and was hosted by the Wendell Police Department.

The meeting included information from Chief Vance Johnson regarding the current crime statistics, community policing efforts, and grants received in 2010. Community Watch leaders Lynn Pulley and Tona Whitley made a presentation on volunteering for the community, how to start a program in your neighborhood, and what types of information to look for when a crime is being committed. Several members of the audience signed up to be volunteers. Crime Stoppers of Eastern Wake County explained their program, offering cash rewards for tips to help solve crimes. Crime Stoppers is also looking for volunteers and board members.

“This being our first community wide meeting, I think just opening lines of communication between the police and public would be the single most important thing about the meeting,” said Johnson.

The final segment of the meeting included an idea exchange between the members of the community and the Police Department. Members of the audience were able to express concerns about current programs and future programs.  One question presented was the partnership with 911 service between the Wendell Police Department and Wake County. The Police Department has developed a special webpage to help explain all the questions on the Town of Wendell website (www.townofwendell.com).

The Police Department is set to expand into the community with social media, more content on the Town of Wendell website, and outreach to community groups. Lieutenant Bobby Langston furthered the Police outreach by issuing a challenge to all those in attendance: bring someone new to the next watch meeting on May 10, 2011. Langston said “Community Watch is all about an active partnership between the police and local community. Not only can a community watch program help to cut crime and the opportunities for crime, they also can help and reassure those who live in fear of crime and encourage a closer community.”

 
For more information about any of the programs the Police Department, visit the Town of Wendell’s website at www.townofwendell.com or call the department at 919-365-4444.