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Councilman Greg Stanton's
My Turn – Ahwatukee Republic News Column
August 2005
Community Policing Makes Foothills Neighborhoods Stronger
Ahwatukee Foothills is one of the most desirable areas in the Valley to live for many reasons. Great schools, outdoor recreation activities and safe neighborhoods all help create a wonderful quality of life. Residents know their neighbors, feel safe taking walks at night and have strong relationships with their community police officers.
Our Police Department's strong, community-oriented policing strategy brings neighborhoods and officers together to achieve both short- and long-term goals. Working together to prevent crime builds strong relationships between communities and police.
"The Police Department's concept of community policing has made Ahwatukee Foothills a safer place," said Mary Conant of the Ahwatukee Foothills Crime Prevention Task Force, a residents' group. "People have more access to the Police Department and more information. When your community is better informed, that information can lead to improved safety."
Ahwatukee Foothills residents realize the importance of a strong, permanent presence in our neighborhoods.
The police sub-station at the new Pecos Park Community Center is scheduled to be completed in December 2006. It will provide the community with better access to the department and give officers an excellent base of operations. My office worked closely with the police department and other city staff to help make this happen and I am very proud of the results.
Also, by early next year, an additional community action officer will be working in the Ahwatukee Foothills.
The present Community Action Officer, Barney Barnhart, may be a familiar name and face to many of you. He has done a fabulous job with a wide range of tasks, like helping organize Block Watch groups, advising and educating the Crime Prevention Task Force, working with schools, conducting home and business security evaluations, coordinating community safety events and passing on tips from residents to other officers.
"Officer Barnhart is a direct liaison to the neighborhood and community groups," said Lt. Michael Cecchini, who oversees the Ahwatukee Foothills’ community policing programs. "He helps the community understand our mission and lets us know the community's expectations."
Another entity in community-oriented policing is the Neighborhood Enforcement Team (NET) squads that work with residents on community concerns.
"They handle everything from neighborhood disputes to burglaries and drug problems," said Lt. Cecchini.
In Ahwatukee Foothills the NET squad has helped merchants at 48th Street and Ray Road to prevent burglaries and property crimes, especially around the holidays. NET officers work with the Crime Prevention Task Force on curfew enforcement, which cuts down on underage drinking, loitering and drinking and driving.
"When you can have a partnership between the Police Department and the community, awesome things happen," said Conant, of the Crime Prevention Task Force.
Together with our superb team of officers, we will continue looking for new and progressive ways to bring police and the community even closer together.
Phoenix City Councilman Greg Stanton represents Ahwatukee Foothills. If you have any questions about any issues, please feel free to call Councilman Stanton's office at 602-262-7491, e-mail greg.stanton@phoenix.gov or visit phoenix.gov/district 6.
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