So how can we expand outreach when our budgets are being cut? Did you know that many of the local papers offer free advertising for non-profit groups!
For example, the Washington Post Local Living Section:
"To submit an item E-mail fxliving@washpost.com, Mail: Volunteers, Fairfax Living, The Washington Post, 4020 University Dr., Suite 220, Fairfax, Va. 22030
Details: Items, published weekly on a space-available basis, are accepted from nonprofit groups."
To view comments on this, visit http://www.facebook.com/citizencorps
Showing posts with label Neighborhood Watch. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Neighborhood Watch. Show all posts
Friday, June 18, 2010
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Join the New Citizen Corps Facebook Group
Joing the new Citizen Corps/Neighbors Helping Neighbors Group on Facebook.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Let's Eat - To Avoid Trouble
We have read story after story about the economy and the impact it has had on everyday people. Most people know a family member, neighbor, or even themselves have been impacted.
The following article highlights a great way for neighbors to get to know each other and "How potlucks help home values".
So why do communities often come together?
"It starts with trouble
In spite of the many benefits of building strong communities, it usually takes threats — particularly crime and land-use proposals — to galvanize a neighborhood, says Elton Gatewood, president of Neighborhoods USA, a national group of organizers from local governments and neighborhoods."
Looking for a no cost way to recognize your volunteers or improve security in your neighborhood? If so, check out the following article:
http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=17560110>1=35000
Neighbors getting to know their neighbors really does make a difference.
The following article highlights a great way for neighbors to get to know each other and "How potlucks help home values".
So why do communities often come together?
"It starts with trouble
In spite of the many benefits of building strong communities, it usually takes threats — particularly crime and land-use proposals — to galvanize a neighborhood, says Elton Gatewood, president of Neighborhoods USA, a national group of organizers from local governments and neighborhoods."
Looking for a no cost way to recognize your volunteers or improve security in your neighborhood? If so, check out the following article:
http://realestate.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=17560110>1=35000
Neighbors getting to know their neighbors really does make a difference.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Where does cutting a program tie to humanity?
The potential programs that may be cut due to the current economic situation is really unbelievable. Many programs directly impact the health and safety of our residents, not just locally, but across the United States.
After spending the summer working in a developing region, there must be some takeaway we can learn from that experience to deal with the budget shortfall.
There are people who were struggling to eat and deal with natural disaster, but in the United States besides significant potential cutbacks in critical emergency services, a government health club is at risk.
It is important to prioritize potential cutbacks and ensure that critical lifesaving programs remain in place.
When we look at the article submitted by Michael earlier, we see pictures of volunteers from the Red Cross. An organization that is primarily funded through donation dollars. In any major emergency, the Red Cross is usually there.
What is that in the pictures? We see the volunteers with green backpacks? In the United States, do we think Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) when we see green backpacks?
In this economic time, one thing really comes to mind, consolidation. Could we combine training programs? Could we combine outreach? Could we combine volunteer response? Are there volunteers that are not already involved with multiple organizations?
This is not directed to any CERT program. As several CERT programs across the country either have been cut or are at risk of being cut, could we potentially merge the CERT program with another organization, such as the Red Cross? What about expand the mission of the Neighborhood Watch program?
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is essential in helping our citizens be prepared for a major emergency or disaster and also provides skills that can be applied in their everyday lives.
These are not recommendations, but potential ideas to think of ways these programs can continue with limited funding and resources. Many of these changes would need to occur at the National Level, to adjust the guidelines of the organizations.
While the following article, Catastrophe On A Shoestring, is several years old, it shows how these volunteer programs are often first to be reduced.
Now more than ever, organizations are going to need to make best use of their resources, combined resources.
After spending the summer working in a developing region, there must be some takeaway we can learn from that experience to deal with the budget shortfall.
There are people who were struggling to eat and deal with natural disaster, but in the United States besides significant potential cutbacks in critical emergency services, a government health club is at risk.
It is important to prioritize potential cutbacks and ensure that critical lifesaving programs remain in place.
When we look at the article submitted by Michael earlier, we see pictures of volunteers from the Red Cross. An organization that is primarily funded through donation dollars. In any major emergency, the Red Cross is usually there.
What is that in the pictures? We see the volunteers with green backpacks? In the United States, do we think Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) when we see green backpacks?
In this economic time, one thing really comes to mind, consolidation. Could we combine training programs? Could we combine outreach? Could we combine volunteer response? Are there volunteers that are not already involved with multiple organizations?
This is not directed to any CERT program. As several CERT programs across the country either have been cut or are at risk of being cut, could we potentially merge the CERT program with another organization, such as the Red Cross? What about expand the mission of the Neighborhood Watch program?
The Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) program is essential in helping our citizens be prepared for a major emergency or disaster and also provides skills that can be applied in their everyday lives.
These are not recommendations, but potential ideas to think of ways these programs can continue with limited funding and resources. Many of these changes would need to occur at the National Level, to adjust the guidelines of the organizations.
While the following article, Catastrophe On A Shoestring, is several years old, it shows how these volunteer programs are often first to be reduced.
Now more than ever, organizations are going to need to make best use of their resources, combined resources.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Fairfax County Police Programs at Risk - Citizens To Be Directly Impacted
Crime Prevention, APO, VIPS, and other Citizen Programs
At Risk Of Being Impacted
Who Will Answer The Mail?
THIS EVENT HAS
THIS EVENT HAS
BEEN CANCELLED.
"This is your chance to let your voice be heard. Several services and programs offered by the police department have been offered up to be terminated in order to cover the projected budget shortfall. One of the many purposed cuts includes my position, Crime Prevention. This would be for each district station.
I know we have all worked hard to make Fairfax County a safe place to reside, work and visit. It is my fear that if some of these budget cuts are passed, we would be taking a giant step backward in the fight against crime.
Plan to attend one of the upcoming Community Forums to share your feelings on this matter. Speak out and let the police department and Board of Supervisors know what is important to you." (Fairfax County Crime Prevention Officer).
Please plan to attend one of the following two meetings, along with us, either tonight or tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 22, Lynbrook Elementary School, 5801 Backlick Road,Springfield, 7-9 p.m.
Thursday, October 23, Fair Oaks Church, 4601 West Ox Road, Fairfax, 7-9 p.m.
Most people have no idea what a Crime Prevention Officer does, but they are impacted. Ever send an email to the local police station? It was probably a Crime Prevention Officer that contacted you. Does your community have a Neighborhood Watch Program? That is coordinated through the station Crime Prevention Officer.
Those are just two examples.
"The primary focus of my job is to be a liaison between the citizens of the district and the officers of the Station. I wear many hats, though. The job may sound pretty tame or even lame, but that is not the case.
In actuality, I am busier now than I was when I was a detective assigned to the Criminal Investigations Section. Crime prevention is a very demanding position. Quite a bit of my time is spent with HOA and Neighborhood Watch groups. Helping them with issues that may be present in their community. I also need to stay focused on recent trends within the various patrol areas and alert the citizens to try and prevent future crimes.
On average, I get 75-100 emails a day with requests or questions. This could be from a citizen, an officer or the captain of the station. Some allow a quick response, but some require research. I am also required to attend three to four meetings a week, on average.
Then there are requests for community events. These events are usually in the evening or on a weekend. Again, some are easy to deal with while others require pre-planning.
Yes, I would still have a job if they were to cut this position. That is not an issue. I do enjoy my job. I think that the citizens would be lacking if they were to cut the crime prevention slot, though. A regular patrol officer would not be able to do justice to the program, as it would be too many responsibilities piled upon them, on top of their patrol duties. This would not be fair to that officer or the citizens.
You asked about VIPS. Unless that volunteer worked at least 40 hours a week in Crime Prevention, it would not work. There are many weeks where 60 hours are not enough to do what needs to be done. So unless you have someone without any other obligations, I just do not see it working. I am the APO and VIPS coordinator, as well. So, I know how many hours most of them contribute. There are only one or two that have a lifestyle (i.e.- retired, no kids, etc.) that would allow them to put in the hours needed to do the job. This is not something that could be worked on for a few hours each week. Someone needs to be here and remain current with requests and evolving situations.
If you wish to discuss this further, we can. There are approximately 30 areas of responsibility which my job covers. Under those areas of responsibility there are many sub-headings. An example of this would be:
Neighborhood Watch-
Training
1. Quarterly training held at the station for community members needing training
2. New Watches – help watches get started, provide training
Watch Maintenance
1. Monthly contact and documentation
2. Watch Revitalization- getting inactive Watches started back up
3. Provide new watches with signs and replace any damaged or stolen signs.
Coordinator’s Meetings
Distribution of Information to Watches (and Community as a Whole)
1. News Releases
2. Fliers
E. Address Community Concerns
1. Entering PSA Complaints
2. Meetings upon request
TRAFFIC SAFETY
A. Promote Traffic Watch Program
B. Bicycle Safety Talks/displays
C. Pedestrian Safety talks/displays
D. Aggressive Driving (Laws)
E. Seat Belt talks/displays
F. Station Programs/Initiatives
G. VIN Etching
H. Lobby displays to coordinate with the awareness month/season
So, initially it may not look like a lot on the surface, but once you go below that, there are many areas that need to be focused upon."
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