Cactus Village Community

ELDERLY BRIT NEIGHBORHOOD WATCHER WINS AWARD...BY ED DAVIS

Jul 10, 2003

He may be 90 but Bingley's Gilbert Freeman isn't about to give up crime-busting with his pet pooch just yet!

The retired math professor and great-grandfather didn't begin attending Neighborhood Watch meetings until he was 84.

And he still patrols his neighborhood each day with his dog and trusty sidekick Sybell, despite suffering a stroke two years ago.

Now his tenacity and community spirit have won him the title West Yorkshire Neighborhood Watch Co-coordinator of the Year in the UK's largest crime prevention competition.

"We had a meeting about Neighborhood Watch schemes six years ago and I joined. It seemed a good idea because there is less crime in areas which have them. I became co-coordinator four years ago when the previous person stood down."

Rebecca Williams, of the UK National Neighborhood Watch Association, said: "We just felt that at his age what he was doing was outstanding. It showed that elderly people play an important role and do not need to be passive. He had a close relationship with the police and with members of his community."

PC Steve Littlewood, of Keighley, who liaises with Prof Freeman, added: "We need people of his caliber in Neighborhood Watch with his keen-ness and enthusiasm.

"He does his job without any grievances and is always willing to help.

(This story was taken from the Bradford, UK newspaper. I just proves there is no age limit to getting actively involved in neighborhood?’s crime prevention.). . . ☺