Community-Based Policing Enhancing Safety Through Collaboration

BY MADDIE COATS Highlands Council Media Editor

When a community and its police department work closely together, both benefit in several ways.

Issaquah Police Department offers many opportunities to educate citizens and businesses on crime prevention, community togetherness and family safety. Here are a few programs offered by IPD:

Block Watch

This program enables IPD and our community to work together to make our neighborhood more resistant to criminal activity. Residents meet quarterly at Blakely Hall with representatives from IPD and special guests to discuss ways to curb crime in our community. Additionally, police keep participants informed of criminal activity, trends and patterns to prepare neighbors to spot and stop potential problems. The next meeting will cover tips for preventing property crime such as outdoor lighting, cameras, motion sensors and landscaping. Join the Block Watch group on Facebook to discuss trends and issues in Issaquah Highlands: facebook.com/groups/ issaquahhighlandsblockwatch/.

Citizen Police Academy

IPD holds a free 10-week academy for adults 21 and older who live or work in Issaquah. It’s an opportunity for citizens to learn firsthand about police operations. Citizens are provided training, similar to that of an actual police officer, through a series of lectures, field trips and simulated activities. Some topics include major crimes, patrol tactics, traffic enforcement and criminal investigations, among other subjects. Submit an application here: bit.ly/42iOHrf.

National Night Out

This program is a unique crime/drug prevention event sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch (NATW). Residents can come meet officers and learn more about crime prevention. National Night Out happens annually