On October 22, 2011, more than 35 volunteers from the Vancouver Police Department's Neighbors On Watch (NOW) program will be patrolling Vancouver as part of a coordinated crime prevention mission. This mission, also referred to as a "saturation patrol," coincides with National Make a Difference Day. These trained citizen patrollers in the NOW program will become extra eyes and ears in the community, with the goal of curbing crime by being highly visible and reporting any suspicious or criminal activity to police.
"These incredible volunteers are donating part of their weekend to help keep things safer for everyone who lives, works in, or visits our city," said Kelly Cheney, volunteer coordinator for the Vancouver Police Department. "Our NOW volunteers are truly making a difference in this community - not just this weekend, but every time they step outside to patrol a park, business district or neighborhood," said Cheney.
NOW volunteers will patrol in pairs, using their own cars or the department's two vehicles that are equipped with electronic equipment and cameras to detect stolen license plates. Another group of volunteers will be documenting the patroller's observations and making any necessary reports to 9-1-1.
NOW is a high-visibility, non-confrontational, crime prevention and detection program. Applicants must be over age 21, reside in the city limits of Vancouver, pass a series of background checks and interviews, and graduate from the NOW Training Academy before becoming patrollers. Training topics include observation skills, police radio communications, patrol procedures, personal safety, information gathering and incident reporting.
For more information on the NOW program visit the Vancouver Police Department at http://www.vanpolice.org/ and click on "Get Involved" or contact Volunteer Coordinator Kelly Cheney at (360) 487-7467.
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