Cactus Village Community

BLOCKWATCH NEWS Mar 2003 by Roger Jenkins

Jul 10, 2003

At the February Association meeting, on the question of neighborhood crime prevention, Karen Hughes spoke briefly about the Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol (PNP). PNP is a citizen policing program, which is described in the City website as follows.

Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol has long supported the notion that involved residents are the most effective crime fighters, reporting suspicious activity as it occurs. This program allows residents to become more actively involved as partners in crime prevention. They are the Phoenix Police Department?’s ?“Eyes and Ears!?”

The Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol Program began in 1994 as Block Watchers on Patrol and was associated with the Block Watch McGruff logo. In 1995 P.N.P. members donated over 5,468 hours of their time patrolling their neighborhoods. In 1996 they spent over 11,600 hours assisting the police officers of the City of Phoenix Police Department by driving through their neighborhoods and watching for suspicious criminal behavior, fights, traffic problems, stolen vehicles, and missing persons.

In 1999 the program adopted the name of Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol and its new logo. We have had the opportunity and privilege of training over 1500 citizens in observation skills, criminal codes, police procedures, and drug recognition through non- confrontational methods.
Citizen Patrols? I thought patrolling was a job for the Police
Crime prevention is every citizen?’s responsibility. Some communities in Phoenix already have conducted citizen patrols with success. Providing these patrols often gives people a stronger sense of ownership in their neighborhood, as well as drawing neighbors together in a common cause.
The citizen patrols can be conducted on an ?‘as available?’ basis and are by no means mandatory. The Phoenix Police Department will provide the training and tools to volunteers who would like to become more involved in crime prevention around their neighborhoods. What support will the police provide?

In addition to equipment and training, a community action officer and civilian coordinators will be your point of contact for non-emergency questions and communications. The CAO can provide observers with information on activities in their area, making your observation time more valuable.
What are the requirements for becoming a P.N.P. Member?
After the following qualifications are met, a background check will be completed. This process will include a check for warrants and any criminal record. Persons listed as suspects or investigative leads on police reports will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Final approval for participation in the Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol program will be at the discretion of the Patrol Division Assistant Chief of Police.

Qualifications:
?• Reside in the City of Phoenix
?• Be at least 18 years of age
?• Possess a valid driver license or Arizona identification card
Complete mandatory Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol training Disqualifiers:
?• Felony convictions within the past 60 months (from time of application)
?• Any pending criminal charges
?• Conviction for child molestation
?• Registered as a sex offender
?• Adjudicated by the courts to be mentally incompetent The Police Department will provide participants in the program with training and program-related materials. Included in the material will be the opportunity to check a patrol kit; which contains cell phones, scanners, and activity log sheets.

How many hours are required to participate?

Once you complete the training (12 hours classroom and an optional 10-hour ride with a patrol officer), you decide the amount of time you wish to participate.

Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol participants are citizens, not police officers or police department volunteers. They have no powers of arrest beyond that of any private citizen. They are trained for observation purposes only and participate for, benefit of their community or neighborhood.

Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol Training
There are 12 hours of training in the areas of patrol procedures, observation skills, the 9-1-1 system, reporting techniques, confrontation avoidance, safety practices and Block Watch grants.

Citizens who complete the training will be provided program identification cards, authorized to use identifying automobile door placards and cellular telephone equipment to conduct crime prevention activities in their neighborhood and to record and report suspicious activity. Block Watch does not promote intervention. Participants will exchange ideas involving crime prevention with patrol officers in their area.

For more information contact Barb Galvano at the Phoenix Police Department at 602-495-5009. . .☺