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WHAT IS CRIME WATCH?
 A joint effort between Law
Enforcement and the Community
A program designed to enhance
neighborhood security
Organized to heighten community
observation
An effort to encourage mutual
assistance among neighbors
Who Needs Crime Watch?
EVERYONE. In our modern growing
community there is less familiarity with neighbors
and more privacy. These conditions increase your
communities’ vulnerability to crime and, in turn,
call for a relationship that will tighten security
and provide for support and cooperation among
community members.
What Are Crime Watch Objectives?
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Increasing citizens awareness of neighborhood crime
through a continuing education process
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Educating citizens so they will recognize and report
suspicious activity
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Teaching citizens ways to keep themselves and their
property secure
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Encouraging an effective working relationship
between Law Enforcement and the Community
Crime Watch Members Are
Encouraged To…
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Act as "Eyes" and "Ears" for their
neighbors and to report any suspicious activity.
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Study all crime prevention material
available through the program.
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Check on their neighbors’ homes when
they are out of town.
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Secure their homes in compliance
with the recommendations of the crime prevention
officer.
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Participate in Operation
Identification and other crime prevention programs.
How Can You Join Crime Watch?
You can join by attending any Crime
Watch meeting. Meetings are held quarterly on a
Tuesday in the Swatara Township
Building in the Commissioners hearing room at 7:00 PM
and last approximately one hour. The current schedule
and meeting topics are:
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Tuesday, February 16, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
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Tuesday, May 18, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
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Tuesday, August 3, 2010 - National Night Out
- 6:00 to 9:00 pm
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Tuesday, August 17, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
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Tuesday, November 16, 2010 @ 7:00 pm
Crime Watch Meeting Agenda
At each meeting, a police officer
will read the previous months' crime report, advise
you of crime trends in your area and give you tips
on how to avoid becoming a victim of crime. A
program on some aspect of crime prevention will be
presented each meeting. You will be given a chance to
ask questions and voice any concerns you may have.
In addition, you can find out how to participate in
other Crime Prevention Programs already in
operation, such as: Bicycle Registration, Operation
ID, Home and Business Security Surveys. Guests
are always encouraged to ask questions and discuss
concerns openly during the meeting or in private
after the meeting with the officer in charge.
Suggested topics of interest or special guests for
future crime watch meetings are always welcomed.
If you have questions or comments
Contact Patrolman John Schmoyer at
717.564.2550 or send an email to
JSchmoyer@SwataraPolice.org . Please
indicate if you would like to be contacted.
The following
are the minutes for past Crime Watch meetings:
November 17, 2009
Patrolman John Schmoyer opened the meeting at 7:00
pm by reviewing Swatara Township’s crime statistics
for the period of August to November 2009. Many of
the part-one crimes (most serious) were reviewed and
discussed. Special attention was given to the
reported sexual crimes due to this meeting’s topic
of discussion.
Guest speaker was Detective
Darrell Reider, Juvenile Detective and sexual crimes
investigator for Swatara Township Police Department.
The remainder of the meeting time was allotted to a
slide presentation and discussion with Detective
Reider on sexual predators, internet safety, and The
Children’s Resource Center of Pinnacle Health.
This center provides an
innovative approach to interviewing children who are
victims of child abuse and reducing the occurrence
and aftermath of this type of crime. Their goal is
to improve the health, welfare, and safety of
children and their families in central Pennsylvania.
The meeting was completed by
8:15 pm.
August 18, 2009
Patrolman John Schmoyer opened the meeting at 7:00
pm by reviewing Swatara Township’s crime statistics
for the period of May to August 2009. These were
compared to the previous quarter’s statistics. Many
of the part-one crimes (most serious) were reviewed
and discussed.
The remainder of the meeting time was allotted to a
slide presentation with nearly 100 photographs and a
review of the National Night Out event at Vanatta
Park that was held on Tuesday, August 4th,
2009. Swatara Police would like to thank the
following Crime Watch meeting attendees who donated
their time and assisted with the National Night Out
event at the main police table. They handed out
items for children, raffle tickets, and brochures.
Thank you to Vivian Black, Joseph and Betty Schell,
and Phyllis Syabo.
The meeting was completed by 8:10 pm.
May 19, 2009
Cancelled due to voting day - polls in
the Twp. Building. In addition, a funeral service
was held for Detective Allegrini of Lower Paxton.
February 17, 2009
Patrolman John Schmoyer opened the meeting at 7:00
pm by reviewing Swatara Township’s crime statistics
for the period of November to May 2009. These were
compared to the previous quarter’s statistics. Some
of the part one crimes (most serious) were reviewed
and discussed by patrol zone. Residents were
advised of the patrol zones and the boundaries of
these zones.
The remainder of the meeting time was allotted to a
discussion on fraud, scams, con games, and identity
theft. Some of the methods used to defraud people
were explained and examples were given. A bingo
game with an investment fraud theme was played with
residents in attendance. Prizes were awarded to
all.
The meeting was completed by 8:05 pm.
November 18, 2008
Patrolman John Schmoyer opened the meeting at 7:00
pm by reviewing Swatara Township’s crime statistics
for the period of August to November 2008. These
were compared to the previous quarter’s statistics.
Some of the part one crimes (most serious) were
reviewed and discussed by patrol zone.
The remainder of the meeting time was allotted to a
discussion on the Taser as a less-lethal weapon and
tool to de-escalate violence and gain compliance
from combative subjects. Personal experiences,
training information, and videos accompanied this
discussion.
The meeting was completed by 8:00 pm.
August 19, 2008
Patrolman John Schmoyer opened the meeting at 7:00
pm by reviewing Swatara Township’s crime statistics
for the period of May to August 2008. These were
compared to the previous quarter’s statistics. Many
of the part-one crimes (most serious) were reviewed
and discussed.
The remainder of the meeting time was allotted to a
slide presentation with nearly 100 photographs and a
review of the National Night Out event at Vanatta
Park that was held on Tuesday, August 5th,
2008. Swatara Police would like to thank the
following Crime Watch meeting attendees who donated
their time and assisted with the National Night Out
event at the main police table. They handed out
items for children, raffle tickets, and brochures.
Thank you to Vivian and Ken Black and Phyllis
Syabo.
The meeting was completed by 8:15 pm.
May 20, 2008
Patrolman John Schmoyer opened the meeting at 7:00
pm by reviewing Swatara Township’s crime statistics
for the period of February to May 2008. These were
compared to the previous quarter’s statistics. Some
of the part one crimes (most serious) were reviewed
and discussed by patrol zone. Residents were
advised of the patrol zones and the boundaries of
these zones.
The remainder of the meeting time was allotted to a
discussion on identity theft, procedures for victims
of identity theft, and safeguarding personal
information. The line “if it’s too good to be true,
it probably is!” was the theme of numerous examples
of people expecting to reap big profits quickly,
only to suffer great financial losses. Various
examples were given to show some of the ways people
fall victim to scams and divulge personal
information that could lead to identity theft.
The meeting was completed by 8:00 pm.
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