February 2007 Arcadia’s Community Action Officers Help Protect and Serve Residents
Arcadia remains one of Phoenix’s most vibrant and safe neighborhoods to live, and a huge reason is due to the programs the Police Department’s Community Action Officers (CAO) implement within its neighborhoods.
CAOs are critical to the community because they serve as the first point of contact between the neighborhoods and the Police Department. CAOs also have strong relationships with neighborhood, faith and business leaders. I want to acknowledge our local CAOs – Officers Monty Woods and Chris Wilson.
Officer Woods has been in law enforcement for more than 22 years and has served the Arcadia community for 10 years. Officer Wilson has been with the Police Department for eight-and-a-half years and has served as Arcadia’s CAO for the past year. Both enjoy the face-to-face interaction with the community.
“I’m a people person and I love reaching out to the youth in Arcadia and educating them,” says Officer Wilson. He also enjoys researching problems, helping people and is proud to make Arcadia a safer and more secure neighborhood.
When asked which one accomplishment stood out during his 10 years of service to Arcadia, Officer Woods replied “I’m not here to receive kudos; my ability to be in this service position for 10 years is enough to know that I’m making a positive difference in the community. That’s my accomplishment and what I give back to this neighborhood.”
In fact, Officer Woods considers himself a “utility person” and it is his job to fix whatever is broken. “Residents come to me for all types of questions, even beyond my department. I’m glad to help connect them with the correct city department to help them. It’s all part of the seamless service we provide to the neighborhoods we serve,” said Woods.
The role of Officers Woods and Wilson is to serve as a liaison between the community and various city departments. Some of the outreach the officers do each day includes resolving neighborhood disputes; giving presentations on crime prevention to organizations and businesses; working with schools and children on how to be safe; assisting neighborhoods with Block Watch and Fight Back groups; and helping to solve crimes by providing patrol officers and detectives tips they receive from Arcadia residents.
As a member of the City Council Public Safety Subcommittee, I’m honored to work closely with Arcadia’s Community Action Officers. I will continue to provide support to our community policing program and remain focused on the needs of our neighborhoods.
With the residents and police working together, we can reduce crime and further enhance our quality of life within Arcadia. Phoenix City Councilman Greg Stanton represents Arcadia and is a member of the City Council Public Safety Subcommittee. Contact Councilman Stanton's office at 602-262-7491, e-mail greg.stanton@phoenix.gov or visit phoenix.gov/district6.
