2008-06-25 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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c RIME PREVENTION Crime Prevention is a critical part of our community, It involves many aspects of Community Oriented Policing to benefit our cities. Neighborhood Crime Watch groups are a big part in assisting our officers with keeping our neighborhoods safe. National Nil!:ht Out National Night Out is held on the first Tuesday in August every year. This year our cities had a wonderful turnout in the extreme heat. Our officers visited numerous scheduled block parties in Centerville (6), Circle Pines (7), and Lexington (4). Total parties were up by two from last year. Residents were able to address officers about crime concerns and new events in the community. Goodie bags filled with pencils, sports cards, stickers and bicycle spoke reflectors were also handed out to children in an effort to promote safety and crime prevention. Our residents were also greeted by McGruffthe Crime Dog. Neil!:hborhood Crime Watch Neighborhood Crime Watch groups bring neighbors together in hopes of preventing crime in their communities. These organized groups watch out for one another. In order to stay active in the Crime Watch organization these groups must hold meetings twice a year. One of these meetings is an informational meeting usually held in the spring; the other is more of a social meeting held on National Night Out. Participants must also be involved in Operation Identification. Operation 10 is a system of marking valuable property with a specific number assigned by the police department. When property is recovered, officers can then trace it back to the owner and ensure a timely return of the property. Currently there are over twenty neighborhood crime watch groups in our jurisdiction. During 2007 more residents seemed interested in joining a Neighborhood Watch Group; however there has been some difficulty in finding block watch captains due to the hectic modem lifestyles. We are hoping to add many more of our residents to these Neighborhood Crime Watch groups in 2008. BicYcle Licenses The Centennial Lakes Police Department urges residents to license their bicycles. These licenses are issued at the police department at no cost to residents of Lexington, Circle Pines and CentervilIe. This makes the recognition of recovered bicycles easier for the department. Numerous bicycles were abandoned and recovered this past year without licenses. Bicycle licenses area part of crime prevention that should be enhanced. Officers and CSO' s have spent time showing safety equipment for bicycles and teaching proper hand signals, as well as, bicycle rules of the road. 18