Neighborhood Watch meeting gets nice turnout
BROWNSVILLE – Neighborhood Watch organizers in Brownsville were pleased with the turnout Tuesday night for the group’s second organizational meeting. About 45 people attended the event, with some neighborhoods having better representation than others, but nearly all of the neighborhoods having at least one interested citizen in attendance.
“It’s good to see this much support to fight crime in our area, so maybe some day we won’t have any crime in our community,” said Sheree Smith, the vice president of the organization.
Block captains were selected for neighborhoods that had four or more residents in attendance.
“Those of you who don’t have the needed number of people on your street, don’t give up. Talk to your neighbors and as they see the larger groups have some success, they may want to get involved,” said Brownsville Police Chief Stanley Jablonsky.
Jablonsky cautioned that Neighborhood Watch is not a vigilante program, and that there is no “stop and detain” policy for the group.
“Do not put yourself in a position for a civil law suit. Use what equipment you have: each other, cameras and video. Don’t go out and grab people,” Jablonsky warned.
Borough councilman and police officer Tom Bush said it is especially important not to confront suspected drug dealers, even if they are juveniles.
“Ninety percent of the juveniles involved with drugs are willing to use guns,” Bush said.
Jablonsky said the most important thing a Neighborhood Watch member can do is to be willing to serve as a witness and to get other neighbors involved as witnesses, helping police to build a strong case against a suspect.
“If you’re in with this organization, be willing to come in and give testimony. Be willing to stick up for one another,” Jablonsky said.
“If you see someone breaking into a house, definitely call the police. Hopefully, by the time we get there, you’ll have been in touch with other people in your neighborhood and they’ll be watching too. Begin documenting details. A week later, you may not remember,” Jablonsky said. “Most importantly, if you remember nothing else, remember this: At no time do you grab somebody; at no time do you confront somebody or try to take somebody into custody. Do not put yourself in danger.”
Jablonsky said getting the Neighborhood Watch off the ground isn’t complicated.
“I’d like everyone to at least start watching. Start tonight. Look for juveniles out after curfew. Believe it or not, juveniles are our biggest problem. They’re running the drugs,” Jablonsky said.
Brownsville’s curfew for juveniles under the age of 18 who are not with a parent or legal guardian is 10:30 p.m. The fine for the first offense is $100, $200 for the second offense and $300 for the third offense, Jablonsky said. Several juveniles have already been cited under the ordinance that went into effect nearly a month ago.
Jablonsky said the Neighborhood Watch will work if those who see something happening contact their neighbors as well as the police, creating a group of witnesses that will strengthen the case against the suspect. Jablonsky said that while one neighbor may be able to give a detailed description of a suspect, another neighbor might be able to identify the suspect, or get a license number of any vehicle involved.
Magisterial District Judge Mike Defino emphasized that the more evidence the police can present in a case, the easier his job is in decided whether it should be held for court or dismissed.
Art Wells, who has been involved with the Neighborhood Watch program on Cadwallader Street since 1998, told those in attendance that they may have some problems initially, but eventually the program does work.
“The first year was pure hell. We were threatened, this and that,” Wells said. “A Neighborhood Watch is a good way to stop crime. We have camera systems in our house. Take back your neighborhood.”
It was noted that two crack houses in the Cadwallader Street neighborhood have been closed down by the Neighborhood Watch activities.
The Neighborhood Watch meetings will be held the first Tuesday of the month at 6 p.m. the next meeting will be Oct. 3 at the Brownsville No. 1 Fire Hall on the North Side.