You may have seen them in their black t-shirts and yellow logos patrolling Northeast streets. They are not armed, but their presence in neighborhoods is disrupting and discouraging crime.
They are volunteers for the Northeast Citizen Patrol (NECP), a growing number of concerned Northeast citizens willing to help patrol Northeast neighborhoods and report criminal activities to police.
“We’re very visible,” said Mark Fox, an NECP volunteer since 2005. “We go out and let the good people know somebody cares and let the bad people know there’s somebody watching.”
How do they know they are making a difference? “We watch drug dealers and prostitutes leave when we stand on a street corner,” Fox said.
Minneapolis Mayor R.T. Rybak declared May 11, 2009, Northeast Citizen Patrol Day during a ceremony honoring volunteers at the 2nd Precinct Open House.
This grassroots effort is completely volunteer and funded by donations and corporate sponsorships. The NECP started in the Audubon Park neighborhood and now has patrols and walking groups working in Beltrami, Bottineau, Columbia Park, Holland, Logan, Sheridan, Marshall Terrace, Waite Park and the Windom Park neighborhoods. NECP is inviting all other Northeast neighborhoods to form their own patrol groups.
Typically 50 to 70 volunteers enlist each summer to work in two-hour weekly shifts. They patrol on foot or bike and call 911 if they see suspicious activity. Their job is not to confront criminals, but rather to alert police. NECP is seeking volunteers as more criminal activity kicks in with the warm weather. You can register to volunteer to be an NECP walker or walk/patrol leader at: http://www.NECPREPORTS.org.
The NECP website is chock full of crime information web links. You can also subscribe to a weekly Northeast crime alert, which includes 2nd Precinct crime alerts, crime statistics and arrests, tips, and lists of problem properties, felons and predators. Send an e-mail to info@NEpatrol.org to get the emailed alert.
Comments
All I can say about this organization is that a person would be wise to ask a lot of questions and closely EXAMINE the facts being sited. I would also ask to EXAMINE a detailed statement regarding the handling of money and how it's being spent and accounted for. I would also EXAMINE the potential misuse of the non-profit status. And I would EXAMINE the credibility of the people running the organization based on their ability to abide by the laws in their own personal lives and businesses.
"NECP volunteer!" I am proud to say this. We need to keep a watch out for our neighborhood. As far as I understand, this has been a people looking out for the community and being able to enjoy a life without crimes being committed.
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