2011 Civic Accomplishments: Creating Eyes on the Street

In 2011, the Civic continued to promote the establishment of Neighborhood Watches. During the year, the Civic, along with other local community groups, had a chance to meet with Inspector James Rhoads, Commanding Officer of the 4th Precinct, and other precinct officers. One of the many topics we discussed was the effectiveness of Neighborhood Watches. Within the 4th Precinct, which encompasses the Town of Smithtown and portions of Islip and Brookhaven around the Lake, there are 21 active Neighborhood Watches, of which 7 are in Ronkonkoma. That’s a great start, but the Civic knows that we can still do more to fight local crime.
By working together with Suffolk County Police, neighbors learn how to safeguard each other’s homes by observing and reporting. By observing and reporting any suspicious circumstance, neighborhoods actually increase their own safety.
Police cannot fight crime they do not know about. When alert citizens keep them informed, the police are far more effective against crime, and citizens have better protection and safer neighborhoods.
In 2012 the Civic will continue to help organize Neighborhood Watches in our area. If you’re interested, contact the Civic President at president@lakeronkonkomacivic.org or the COPE office at the 4th Precinct at (631) 854-8478, or for neighborhoods east of Hawkins Avenue, the COPE office at the 6th Precinct at (631) 854-8670.