This is in regards to a new initiative I launched today.
“Greensboro, N.C. (March 16, 2009) – Crime. It doesn’t discriminate and it happens in all parts of the city. For years, residents of Greensboro have been proactively taking part in community watches and looking out for the area in which they live. Unfortunately, even the most active watch typically stops once you get to the end of a neighborhood, and a new one might start somewhere down the road leaving a gap in the communication process. Ryan Shell, a community activist, is launching the Greensboro Community Watch (GCW) in an effort to bridge this gap and to create a channel for critical information to be shared amongst residents.
“I’ve headed up the Southside Community Watch for just over a year now, and have had the opportunity to see how neighbors can successfully work together to reduce criminal activity,” said Shell. “The one gaping hole that I’ve noticed is that a line of communication between the various watches is virtually nonexistent. There is a clear opportunity to take our fight against crime one step further, and I believe the Greensboro Community Watch is that answer.”
Initially, Shell is urging neighborhood leaders and current community watch leaders to sign up for the program. To get started, simply visit GreensboroCommunityWatch.com and complete the short registration process. Once individuals are signed up they will receive a welcome message that further explains how the process works, more importantly, how to report incidents happening in their respective neighborhood.
“I will distribute weekly emails, or as needed, to residents alerting them of trends that are being seen around the city,” said Shell. “Crime tends to go in waves and if we can get ahead of those waves then a real difference could be made.”
The GCW will also have District Captains that will be very similar to that of typical community watch Block Captains. Individuals interested in being a District Captain should contact Shell via the GCW Web site.
“This is a great form of community policing,” said Tim Bellamy, Greensboro’s chief of police. “We can track down criminals all day, but the key to reducing crime is the preventative measures that can be put in place. The concept of the Greensboro Community Watch will create awareness of what is happening all across the city and bridge gaps between young and old, rich and poor.”
To be clear, the Greensboro Community Watch does not intend to, and will not replace current community watches; it will simply be a resource that connects watches all throughout the city.”
GCW TV Coverage
