02/21/2007

Keeping watch deters crime
By Bob Lassahn

On February 16 Ocean Pines Police Department (OPPD) Chief David Massey conducted a meeting in The Parke Clubhouse as a step in revitalizing the Neighborhood Watch Program in Ocean Pines. In his invitation to the community Chief Massey points out that while the number of active participants has decreased over time, the need for such an organization has increased with the growth of the community.

Neighborhood Watch is a community based crime prevention initiative that provides enhanced security through alert and aware citizens providing information to law enforcement on suspicious persons and activities, the implementation of security measures and information sharing. It has been widely documented as an effective deterrent to criminal activity.

Chief Massey commented that any misplaced belief that there is no crime in Ocean Pines is simply not true. In his summary of national, state and local crime trends he noted that 135 serious crimes (rape, robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, thefts and auto theft) occurred during 2006, an increase from the 122 crimes reported in 2005. He stressed that Ocean Pines is a safe community but it requires an effort from all residents to keep it that way.

Chief Massey is seeking to not only swell the ranks of Neighborhood Watch participants, but also to begin linking the participants via an information network to disseminate information on crime or crime trends in a timely fashion. The network would also facilitate information sharing on hurricane preparedness, emergency evacuation routes, and security measures to keep residents safe in times of crisis.

In some respects it might be said Chief Massey was "preaching to the choir," since many of those attending were already involved in the Neighborhood Watch Program. He hopes to both increase the ranks of participants and enhance communications capabilities to make the organization more effective in the months to come.

One unique feature of the Ocean Pines Neighborhood Watch is the use of volunteers drawn from the ranks to assist the OPPD when additional manpower for non enforcement duties might be required. These volunteers often provide assistance with traffic at events such as the Craft Fair and Fourth of July fireworks.

Chief Massey hopes to begin training for participants in approximately two months. Anyone interested in participating should contact Chief Massey at 410-641-7717.


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