Date: Fri 03-Nov-1995

Publication: Bee

Author: ANDYG

Quick Words:

police-newsletter

Full Text:

Police Dept Starts A Crime Prevention Newsletter

B Y A NDREW G OROSKO

The Newtown Department of Police Services has started publishing a newsletter

called Neighborhood Watch intended to keep residents informed about crime

prevention issues.

The newsletter will be coordinated by crime prevention officers Sergeant

Martin Pytko and Patrolman Bob Haas. They also will be writing articles for

the quarterly publication whose circulation is expected to be about 200.

Several dozen local residents participate in Neighborhood Watch programs in

their respective neighborhoods to deter criminal activity and to report it to

police when they see it happening.

The premiere issue of the publication offers its readers a variety of crime

prevention tips.

The police suggest that as the holiday season approaches, it's a good time to

create a home inventory or update an existing home inventory. They suggest

that residents take photoghraphs or make videotape recordings of their

possessions and list their descriptions and serial numbers for reference in

the event the items are missing or stolen.

"If your home is burglarized, having a detailed inventory can help identify

stolen items and make insurance claims easier to file. Make sure things like

TV's, VCR's stereo equipment, jewelry, silver, computers, home office

equipment and power tools are on the list," according to the newsletter.

Because holiday shopping is a large part of the upcoming season, the police

offer residents some shopping-oriented safety tips.

These include:

Stay alert and be aware of what's happening around you.

Shoppers should park in well-lighted areas and be sure that they lock their

vehicles, close the windows, and hide any shopping bags and gifts in the trunk

to deter thefts.

The police recommend that shoppers not carry any large amounts of cash and

that they pay for purchases with checks and credit cards whenever possible.

The police urge residents to deter picpocketing and purse snatching. Shoppers

shouldn't overburden themselves with packages. Exercise extra care when

handling purses and wallets. Purses should be carried close to the body, not

dangling from purse straps. Wallets should be kept in an inside coat pocket or

the front pocket of trousers.

Parents should teach their children to go to a store clerk or a security guard

if they become separated.

The police department provides the newsletter's readers with its mission

statement to explain the police's role in the community.

The statement says: "The men and women of the Newtown Department of Police

Services are thoroughly committed to the improvement of the quality of life

for all the residents of Newtown by working in a partnership with them. The

department will constantly work to maintain a safe and secure community while

treating all people with dignity and respect. We will be objective and always

search for new ways to improve ourselves so as to better serve the community."

The newsletter also contains items on the police department's efforts to

combat automobile and bicycle theft, the Citizens Police Academy program, and

"The Police Beat," which is a weekly cable television show hosted by Police

Chief Michael DeJoseph.