Sheriff Scott Johnson announced today the initiation of a Community Watch/Neighborhood Watch Program (CW/NW) for the Long Beach Peninsula. The Sheriff named Howard Chang as Program Coordinator (volunteer). Howard, a retired Chief Information Officer, managed Information Technology and physical security operations at the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle for 12 years.
“CW/NW promotes an interactive program of crime prevention between the community and law enforcement. I helped establish a similar neighborhood block watch program in the Tokeland/Grayland area of our county in 2014. That program exists still to this day and the citizens connected are steadfast with their involvement. Watch programs have reduced the crime rate in communities across the U. S., which is why I’ve decided to initiate another chapter on the Long Beach Peninsula.” Sheriff Johnson noted.
Training and materials will be provided for this vital program, but Chang noted that the community must work with law enforcement, rather than solely relying on them to fight crime. Neighbors watching out for each other become the eyes and ears of law enforcement and make a reduction in crime achievable.
The initial phase includes residents and businesses with mailing addresses in Oysterville, Nahcotta, Ocean Park, Long Beach, Seaview, and Ilwaco. Depending on community interest and available resources, future phases may include other cities and towns in Pacific county.
To residents and businesses in the above cities and towns - If you are ready to dedicate a couple of hours or so per month to help fight crime in your neighborhood, email your name, mailing and physical address (if different), phone number, and email address to pc.cwnw@outlook.com. Note that a Block Captain is needed to coordinate each block’s activities.
Existing Neighborhood Watch groups on the Peninsula are requested to contact Howard through the above email address to enable the PCSO to support your efforts.
Sheriff Johnson says he’s optimistic about the program’s potential to become an important part of our crime prevention efforts and he encourages concerned citizens to step up to the plate.
Pictured Below left to right: Howard Chang (Volunteer Program Coordinator), Charlene Nelson (Tokeland/Grayland Volunteer Block Watch Coordinator and Shoalwater Bay Tribal Council Chairperson), Sheriff Scott Johnson and Chief Criminal Deputy Pat Matlock at a recent Neighborhood Block Watch meeting in Tokeland.
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