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Crime, grime watches work
1.) These programs work.
2.) Neighborhoods where citizens watch what is going on are getting better.
3.) Not only are the people who live there watching, the drug dealers, their customers, the pimps and street walkers know it, too.
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5.) And, if you happen to be in any of those previously mentioned categories, or are a slumlord, absentee landlord, owner of abandoned or junk cars, collector of trash, rubbish, debris of all sorts, and if you think you can move to where nobody's watching, you better think again.
6.) You are either being watched already or you're going to be watched. Citizens have had enough. They're getting organized.
Crime and grime watch programs have been established in the Highland-Ridge and West End neighborhoods. As recently as six weeks ago, another watch has started up in Canton Township neighborhoods bordering the city.
"We can do great things as a group, but not much as individuals," William Reihner, Washington resident, outspoken advocate and organizer, said after meeting with 20 Canton Township residents a week ago.
"We can't do anything if we do nothing," he said. "It's that simple."
It really is that simple. If you see something happening that should not be taking place, dial 911 and report it. That's what operators at the 911 control center do; they'll tell the police. Guaranteed.
By extension, the same goes for residents of Canonsburg, East Washington, McDonald, Burgettstown and Houston and Cecil, North Strabane, South Strabane, Chartiers, Peters, Mt. Pleasant and Smith townships - any place that has a police department but has not yet organized a watch program - call 911.
If you live in Canton or in any other township or municipality that relies on the services of the Pennsylvania State Police, call 724-223-5200 for Troop B in Washington, 724-929-6262 in Belle Vernon or 724-627-6151 in Waynesburg.
The Washington and fledgling Canton Township citizen watches - where callers can remain anonymous - is about more than just crime. Citizens there also look for graffiti painters and other vandals, people who litter or those who dispose of trash and garbage on empty lots.
"It's more than just crime we're fighting," said Reihner. "Neighborhoods where trash and junk and abandoned cars are allowed to accumulate also attract crime of all sorts," he said. "The sooner we get our patrols started, we'll start cleaning up the neighborhoods, the sooner we'll drive that stuff out of our neighborhoods."
E-mail Byron at bsmialek@observer-reporter.com.
