I feel that the Steelton Police Department does an excellent job of keeping our streets safe and does a lot with what resources they have. While more could be done, unfortunately the borough funds can only provide so much protection and the resources we have cannot be everywhere at all times.

I remember growing up in the 1980’s the police department was the least of my worries. I was more worried that one of my neighbors would see me doing something I shouldn’t have been doing. I may not have known I was being watched at that time, but I sure did when I got home that evening. Times have changed but I feel the idea is the same with the formed Community Crime Watch Committee.

I know that the police department has been trying hard to garner interest in the Crime Watch program to increase public safety, but has not yet been successful in gaining enough active participation from our residents to make a difference.  Crime watch groups do wonders for the community by reducing the residents’ risk of being a victim of a crime, teaching residents what to look out for in their neighborhoods, keeping members and residents informed of recent activity, and improves the sense of community among residents. Having an active participation, signs, and public awareness has proven to lower crime in Crime Watch neighborhoods by up to 40%.

We need to work on new ways to get the community interested in participating in this program. We can find more ways to inform the residents of the benefits of participating in the crime watch program such as information flyers in and around the borough offices, social media, and on hand to provide to residents who have been victims of crimes.