Sean C. Morgan
Members of a new Facebook group, “Sweet Home Community Watch,” met Monday evening, Nov. 3, to discuss crime in Sweet Home, interact with police officials and begin setting a direction for the group.
The page, administered by Dave Wolfe and Jason Redick, is meant to spread information, partner with police, organize events and for members to have each other’s backs in an effort to “take this town back.”
The group had grown to 402 members by Monday evening. About 50 attended the meeting on Monday.
“I know the page has had some negativity toward the police,” Redick said, but that’s a feeling that’s out there, and he thinks maybe it needs to be aired. At the same time, “I want this to be a partnership between the police and everyone in this room.”
Sweet Home Police Chief Jeff Lynn and Sgt. Jason Van Eck attended the meeting, answering questions and offering advice about how citizens can help fight crime.
“We’re excited there’s this much interest in the community,” Lynn said. “The more community involvement we can get, the more eyes and ears we have. It’s comforting to see this level of concern because we live here too. We’re always looking for more people who want to get involved.”
Public safety requires more than a police force, Lynn said. It has to be a community, and he hopes this group can become something that makes a difference. Ideas like “sit-ins” and “take back the park” events are good ideas.
The cleanup at the park at 12th and Nandina was much needed, Lynn said.
One member of the group talked about getting up at 3 a.m., 4 a.m. and seeing the large number of people moving around on bicycles, noting they probably aren’t up to anything good.
Lynn outlined limitations police face. To stop someone, they must have reasonable suspicion, although they can talk to the people they see riding their bikes. Those who don’t want to be seen in the middle of the night can always hide easily enough.
“We want to know who is out and about,” Lynn said, and that’s where the public can help be the eyes and the ears of law enforcement.
Lynn encouraged people to call the police when they see anything suspicious or out of place.
Wolfe mentioned that he’s sometimes seen things and wondered personally whether he should call the police.
“Well, why not?” he asked.
Another member of the group said she has wondered whether she should call if she thinks maybe she sees someone who may have stolen something. She doesn’t want to be a nuisance.
Absolutely, Lynn said. No one should be embarrassed to call the police about something out of place. Officers on patrol want that kind of information. It helps them know where to go.
Some business owners fear retaliation for responding to crime, Redick said, and a member of the group fears taking photos of suspicious activities because she fears retaliation against her young child.
“We need to have the guts to call police,” Wolfe said.
Van Eck added that callers should provide a phone number for call back so police officers can contact them for further information or just to let them know what happened.
Among frustrations, one member said, are the number of people cited on failure to appear warrants. They’re cited and released and never spend time in jail. That’s not a problem with the police, but it’s a problem.
The group also discussed at length the use of cameras, still and video. Lynn and Van Eck explained that cameras may be used by citizens in public spaces, although the subjects of the video must be informed if it includes audio recording.
Among ideas for the group are walks through neighborhoods and visits to parks.
“The brighter we shine the lights, the more they’ll leave,” said Brandi Hawkins.
“Criminals like anonymity and darkness,” Redick said. If they don’t have them, they won’t stick around.
He and Wolfe urged members of the group to organize events like these.
The Police Department has training available, primarily through its 16 Neighborhood Watch programs to help citizen patrols, Lynn said, noting that citizens should stay non-confrontational and call the police when there is a problem.
Redick and Wolfe are planning further meetings. To join the group, search for Sweet Home Community Watch on Facebook. The group is private, and Redick or Wolfe must approve membership.
Wolfe said that 9-1-1 should be reserved for emergencies and suspicious activity should be reported on the department’s non-emergency line, (541) 367-5181. Linn County Sheriff’s Office may be reached at (541) 367-3911.
For more information about Neighborhood Watch or helping stop crime in Sweet Home, call the Police Department.
Lynn said that he and other staff members are happy to answer questions. For more information about the Community Watch group, message Redick or Wolfe in Facebook.