The Community Outreach Program, or C.O.P., is pleased to announce our new Community Outreach Officer, Sgt. Paula Gaskin. Sgt. Gaskin will be continuing with community outreach efforts. She can be reached at paulag@takomagov.org or 301.891.7126. Below are some of the programs that she will continue to support and carry forward:
C.A.R.E. Program: The C.A.R.E (Caring About Residents Everyday) Program is geared towards the elderly and those with special needs who live alone. Residents who are registered will receive a courtesy call daily from the police department if they do not call us first. If the resident does not pick up the phone, the police department will send an officer out to the resident’s home to check on their welfare. This program is to protect those in need and to bring a sense of peace to those friends and relatives who care, but who cannot check on the registered residents on a daily basis. If you are interested in participating or registering someone for the CARE program, please contact Cathy Plevy by phone at 301-891-7142 or by email at cathyp@takomagov.org.
Child Safety Seat Program: If you are unsure if your child’s safety seat is installed properly, please come down to the station so that an officer can ensure proper installation.
Citizens’ Advisory Board: A group of citizens who live within the City and who meet on a regular basis to discuss community issues and how the police department can be of service.
Citizens’ Police Academy: A program in which members of the community are educated in different functions and components of the City’s police department.
Citizens on Patrol Program: A program in which residents patrol a designated area of their neighborhood on a regular basis. Residents who participate in this usually participate in the Neighborhood Watch program as well.
"Click-It or Ticket" Campaign: A campaign during the month of May to raise awareness of the importance of wearing a seatbelt and using the proper child safety seats while operating or riding in a motor vehicle.
Community Notification List: A "listserv" in which citizens can enroll and have the option of receiving crime alerts and events hosted by the police department through email and/or text message. If you would like to be added to the police department’s listserv, please contact Cathy Plevy at 301-891-7142 or by email at cathyp@takomagov.org. In addition, the Department also has a Facebook and Twitter page.
"Celebrate Safe Communities" Awareness Program: Used to promote programs in which citizens can actively participate to ensure safer neighborhoods. Usually conducted during the month of October, which is National Crime Prevention Month.
House Checks: Service offered to residents who will be away on vacation for a lengthy period of time (usually one week or more). A police officer responds to the residence on a daily basis to ensure no crime (such as burglary) has occurred to the residence.
Internship Program: Anyone interested in offering their services to the police department and/or would like to complete community service/internship hours at a police department are encouraged to apply for our internship program.
"Move It!" Awareness Program: It attempts to educate citizens to move their vehicles out of the roadway and exchange driver, vehicle, and insurance information with each other.
"National Night Out" Community Event: Annual event in August intended to bring members of the community together and to raise awareness on crime prevention. It includes food, activities, and informational tables.
Neighborhood Watch Program: A program in which groups are established based on residents’ specific neighborhoods. Each group acts as an extra set of eyes and ears for the police department within their neighborhood and reports all suspicious activity immediately to the police department. Most groups have informal "get-togethers" monthly or six (6) times a year to strengthen the sense of community.
Operation Identification Program: Residents mark all their valuables with a specific ID number and write down all serial numbers of valuables to be kept by the police department. A sticker is provided to participants to display on their doors/windows to notify individuals of their participation in the program, also making it less desirable for criminals to burglarize those residences. It is a proven, cost-effective way to deter criminals from burglarizing citizens’ homes.
Ride-Along Program: Provides citizens the opportunity to ride in a marked police cruiser alongside a patrol officer to observe the daily duties of an officer.
Safer Seniors Program: A way for the police department to reach out to the elderly population within the community. It is a way to encourage the elderly to address their concerns and to request the assistance of the police department in attempting to resolve those concerns. It includes seminars, by request, on being a "safer senior" in current society.
Security Surveys (Residential/Commercial): Survey of the strengths and weaknesses of security measures of a residence or retail business (fences, locks, alarms, etc). It is conducted by an officer trained in completing security surveys. The officer provides information on how to reinforce the weak security measures.
"Take 25" Awareness Program: Celebrated in the month of May and nationally recognized by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. It raises awareness of child safety and encourages parents to take 25 minutes of their time to educate their children in the importance of personal safety.
V.I.N. Etching Program: Annual event during which citizens can bring their vehicles to the police station to have their V.I.N. etched on various, discreet vehicle parts. It is a cost-effective way to deter criminals from stealing citizens’ vehicles. Next event is scheduled for April 27, 2013.
Watch Your Car Program: It is a way for police officers to ensure your vehicle is not being driven by an unauthorized driver. A sticker will be provided to participants to display in their vehicle window, so both officers and criminals know you are participating in the program. Next event is scheduled for April 27, 2013.
Youth Outreach Program: A way for the police department to reach out to the youth population within the community. It is a way to allow positive interaction between police officers and the youth. It is also a way to educate the youth in various safety topics and making the smart choices. It includes weekly visits to various youth programs within the City and presentations, by request, at local schools.
Please contact Sgt. Paula Gaskin to obtain more information about specific programs in which you are interested. Information on upcoming events will be provided by Cathy Plevy on the police listserv.
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