‘Greene Zones’ a promising development for community
Police departments across the country are stretched thin, but a close working relationship with the community can allow residents to be the “eyes and ears” for officers who can’t be everywhere at every moment.
“The reality is the community is our eyes and ears. We can’t do it without you,” state police Sgt. Steve Dowlin said during a meeting Thursday between local law enforcement and community organizers. “We’re not the best crime-fighting tool. You are. We need you.”
That’s why the new “Greene Zones” neighborhood crime watch groups being initiated in six towns in Greene County are a promising development.
They could help stem the illegal drug activity that is damaging so many families and communities.
Members of the Coalition for a Brighter Greene, a community group formed last year to fight the opioid crisis, announced the crime watch zones and are now looking for area residents to join in Nemacolin, Crucible, Rices Landing, Bobtown, Clarksville and the West Greene grange area, or form their own groups in other towns.
It’s an excellent initiative to bring more community involvement and awareness to combat the drug problem.
But it will also is great opportunity for people to get to know their neighbors while also developing relationships with local and state police.
While this is only one facet to a multipronged approach needed to fight the drug problem in Greene County, it’s an important step to involve the community.
Hopefully, people in those towns respond to the initiative and use it as way to improve their communities.