What started out as the Neighborhood Watch Program back in 1972 and still one of the most successful programs ever initiated, has expanded to include all of the above subject functions, including Terrorism Awareness since 9/11.

The tremendous efforts of Ginny Bell, Jerry Ulsand, Bud Moore and a host of other volunteers several years back to set up the Disaster Preparedness Response Teams is basically the same organizational base that all of these things need, so once in place the other functions can be added-in relatively easily.  It has suffered a bit from apathy since it's initiation however, so the CrimeWatch Committee needs to meet again soon to decide how best to try and revitalize and add the new elements.

In the meantime people can tap into these various websites for related information.  Anything at all that residents learn from them will just make our area that much safer and people that much more aware of any suspicious activity.

In 2002 the National Sheriffs' Association in partnership with USA Freedom Corps, Citizen Corps and the U.S. Department of Justice launched USAonWatch, the face of the revitalized Neighborhood Watch initiative, which represents the expanded role of watch programs throughout the United States.

www.usaonwatch.org  There are six or seven related sites here including Neighborhood Watch.

Criminal activity in and around our area. http://northwestguide.com/app/crime-map.

Does not appear to be real time since some updates were several months old.  Another related site; http://crimewatch.net/index.php?agencyID=54474.  I believe this site only tracks sex crimes. 

There are several pamphlets relating to Neighborhood Watch/Crime Watch that do not appear to have websites that I will get Sheila to scan in when she gets time, as follows:

• Neighborhood Watch, Coordinators/Captains Manual, from the Kitsap County Sheriff's department Crime Prevention Unit.  The shakers and movers within the individual neighborhoods.  9 pages.

• Do It Yourself Crime Prevention Handbook, compliments of The Washington State Crime Prevention Association, Seattle Children's Security Services and The Kitsap County Sheriff's Office.  Basically how to theft-proof your home, enhance personal safety, discourage vandalism and thwart identity theft.  44 pages.

• Operation Identification Inventory Book, from the Kitsap County Sheriff's office Community Resource Division.  If thieves ever clean out your house you will never remember everything you had stolen to report it to the police or for insurance purposes.  If recovered the police will have no idea where to return it.  Tells you how to borrow the tool, mark your valuables and store the inventory safely.  12 pages.

• Suspicious Activities.  Defines suspicious activity and teaches you how to accurately observe and report the activity to 911  and correctly describe the persons and vehicles involved in order to get the concise information to the Sheriff's office as efficiently as possible.  7 pages.

• Getting Ready. K-PREP's guide to Personal & Neighborhood Preparedness.  Created in 1991, the K-PREP Program (Kitsap Practices Responsible Emergency Preparedness) is a function of the Kitsap County Department of Emergency Management.  It is sponsored by 10 additional groups including Homeland Security, County Commissioners, Fire Chiefs, School Superintendents, City Mayors, Tribes and a few others.  70 pages.

• Building and Strengthening Disaster Readiness among Neighbors.  Nine steps immediately following a disaster (typically based on a catastrophic earthquake).  There are two websites listed on this pamphlet, which also show up on the www.usaonwatch.org site but not sure this exact pamphlet is there. The sites listed are for Emergency Management Public Education, www.emd.wa.gov and for the Washington Council Citizen Corps, www.citizencorps.gov.  16 pages.

• Letter from Deputy Pete Ball.  The Community Resource Officer in charge of the Neighborhood Crime Watch Program for Kitsap County.  Briefly explains the program and offers to meet with our community and discuss once we have generated sufficient interest to provide an audience.  1 Page.

Thanks to all for your efforts,

John Remington