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Residents from more than 15 different neighborhoods filled Hockessin Memorial Hall Wednesday night to learn about a block watch program being organized and to learn about ways to report crimes in their communities.
The meeting was organized by Councilwoman Janet Kilpatrick (R-Hockessin), Sen. Liane Sorenson (R-Yorklyn), New Castle County Police Cpl. Mike Snead and Nathaniel Schwartz, from Bridleshire Farms.
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If you need to report a crime in your area, here are some ways to do it:
To offer tips to police:
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Schwartz has launched a block watch program in his neighborhood after seeing a spike in break-ins and other crime this fall.
According to police, the Hockessin and Pike Creek communities between Limestone Road, Paper Mill Road, Corner Ketch Road and the Pennsylvania/Delaware State line were lacking representation by an umbrella civic group or any other organized network that systematically monitors suspicious activity.
Many communities also noted a lack of block watch groups in their individual subdivisions.
County Executive Paul Clark said the number one reason for the increase in crime is drugs. Clark said the County currently has funding for 370 police officers, but that there are fewer currently in uniform.
Cpl. Mike Snead informed residents about ways to report non-emergency criminal activity without dialing 911. A valuable resource that few people use is Delaware Crime Stoppers, which allows people to call for help with the freedom of remaining anonymous, Snead said.
Following his presentation, each neighborhood appointed a community leader who would be responsible for keeping in touch with other community leaders and communicating with residents in their neighborhood.
“That is the purpose of this,” Schwartz said. “We need to enhance communication and help the police put an end to the crime in this area.”
A resident of Corner Ketch Road, who did not wish to be identified, said she attended the meeting because there was a recent break-in in her neighborhood.
“I want to get a neighborhood crime watch established,” she said.
One of her neighbors, who also wished to stay anonymous, said that she is frightened to be at home alone during the day.
“I am a stay-at-home-mom, and I am all alone when my kids are at school,” she said.
When she moved to the neighborhood over ten years ago, she said the neighborhood was safe. But now, when she is by herself, she always has either the radio or television on to deter someone from knocking on her door.
“Crime has actually gone down in New Castle County,” Clark said. “But it does not matter if you don’t feel safe.”
Residents from more than 15 different neighborhoods filled Hockessin Memorial Hall Wednesday night to learn about a block watch program being organized and to learn about ways to report crimes in their communities.
The meeting was organized by Councilwoman Janet Kilpatrick (R-Hockessin), Sen. Liane Sorenson (R-Yorklyn), New Castle County Police Cpl. Mike Snead and Nathaniel Schwartz, from Bridleshire Farms.
|
If you need to report a crime in your area, here are some ways to do it:
To offer tips to police:
|
Schwartz has launched a block watch program in his neighborhood after seeing a spike in break-ins and other crime this fall.
According to police, the Hockessin and Pike Creek communities between Limestone Road, Paper Mill Road, Corner Ketch Road and the Pennsylvania/Delaware State line were lacking representation by an umbrella civic group or any other organized network that systematically monitors suspicious activity.
Many communities also noted a lack of block watch groups in their individual subdivisions.
County Executive Paul Clark said the number one reason for the increase in crime is drugs. Clark said the County currently has funding for 370 police officers, but that there are fewer currently in uniform.
Cpl. Mike Snead informed residents about ways to report non-emergency criminal activity without dialing 911. A valuable resource that few people use is Delaware Crime Stoppers, which allows people to call for help with the freedom of remaining anonymous, Snead said.
Following his presentation, each neighborhood appointed a community leader who would be responsible for keeping in touch with other community leaders and communicating with residents in their neighborhood.
“That is the purpose of this,” Schwartz said. “We need to enhance communication and help the police put an end to the crime in this area.”
A resident of Corner Ketch Road, who did not wish to be identified, said she attended the meeting because there was a recent break-in in her neighborhood.
“I want to get a neighborhood crime watch established,” she said.
One of her neighbors, who also wished to stay anonymous, said that she is frightened to be at home alone during the day.
“I am a stay-at-home-mom, and I am all alone when my kids are at school,” she said.
When she moved to the neighborhood over ten years ago, she said the neighborhood was safe. But now, when she is by herself, she always has either the radio or television on to deter someone from knocking on her door.
“Crime has actually gone down in New Castle County,” Clark said. “But it does not matter if you don’t feel safe.”
