Citizens on Patrol update

Lt. Tom Williams, Jr. of the NPD tells us the COP volunteers started walking West Norwood streets at the end of June and have done three patrols so far. As coordinator of this NPD-sponsored program, he accompanied them on their first two patrols. The COP Program was the brainchild of the West Norwood Neighborhood Association, born out of a need residents felt to try to make their area of town safer. That’s why the program is starting up there, but the intention is to expand patrols throughout the city.

For now, the COPs’ patrols are scheduled between 7:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m., but down the road the volunteers can choose to expand their hours. They walk in groups of at least 3, wearing dark blue shirts emblazoned with “Norwood Police Citizens on Patrol” in white letters.

The 800MHz radios are in, but now Lt. Williams is waiting for the shoulder microphones, which are on back order. The radios, purchased with two large corporate donations and other donations, will enable the volunteers to quickly summon police officers to trouble spots.

Since several more residents have expressed interest in volunteering, Lt. Williams says he may schedule another training in September. If you’d like to talk to him about becoming a volunteer, he’ll be at tonight’s WNNA meeting demonstrating one of the new radios. You can also call him at 458-4545. The meeting gets underway at 7:30 p.m. at the Community Center, 1810 Courtland Avenue.