A Hand Full of People Willing to Make a Difference, LIVINGSTON, May 6, 2008 - At 6 pm, concerned citizens from the West End of Livingston met at the Dunbar Gym to discuss and establish a local crime watch group in an effort to improve the living conditions and the safety of the West End of Livingston. Mayoral Candidates Clarke Evans and Bill Watson were both in attendance as well as community leader and Livingston City Council candidate Elgin Davis, Sheriff Ken Hammack, Chief Deputy Byron Lyons, Livingston Police Chief Dennis Clifton, and Lieutenant Matt Parrish (also from LPD). Clarke Evans asked how long it takes to see positive results once an organized watch group is established. DETCOG representative Marsha Ross answered that they've seen problem neighborhoods see a major positive difference in as little as three weeks.
The Neighborhood Crime Watch can help target specific problems such as: Drug dealers, Vandalism, Break ins, and Assault. The Neighborhood watch program is encouraged to be the eyes and the ears of the police or sheriff's department. As with the Wise Eyes program being implemented in other places, Neighborhood Watch members are instructed NOT to try and apprehend or confront criminals but that it's law enforcement's job.
The meeting was presided over by Jason Wilson and Marsha Ross both with the Deep East Texas Council on Government (DETCOG) and organized and coordinated by Sylvia Lyons. Among other things, Neighborhood Watch encourages citizen involvement volunteer resident patrol programs in which groups of people volunteer and patrol in pairs or small groups to actively find out what's going on in their neighborhood and communicate to Law Enforcement. Chief Clifton stated that citizens need to contact the City of Livingston Police Department by email or telephone 936-327-3117 but the thing is to please call them when there's something going on that they need to know about.
You can see all local crime contacts and information at PolkCountyToday.com's local crime information link. Fighting crime in the West End will require community involvement. Law enforcement alone can't do it. If you want to help make a difference and can volunteer your time to help, contact the Livingston Police Department 936-327-3117. Monthly meetings of this neighborhood watch are planned. Community involvement is needed.
Mayoral Candidates Bill Watson (left), and Clarke Evans (right) were in attendance.
Community leader and Livingston City Council Candidate Elgin Davis
Local law efnorcement leaders, Matt Parrish, Ken Hammack, and Dennis Clifton
Image:
If you would like to comment on this story, we would love to hear from you. (your name might be revealed)
