Help take a bite out of crime

Opinion

August 6, 2010

Anonymous The Goshen News Fri Aug 06, 2010, 08:52 AM EDT

When Goshen residents gather tonight at the annual Night Out Against Crime, they will be helping themselves make our community safer.

The event is part of the First Fridays activities and will include information booths, a bicycle giveaway, food and even a play. What’s even more important, though, is that neighborhood associations, the Citizen’s Academy, Michiana Area Crime Stoppers and TRIAD will be there. These community groups all have one thing in common, they are working to make Goshen a better, safer place.

When we think of Goshen, we first think of a medium-sized town that is a great place to live. We are fortunate to have great parks, improving sidewalks to stroll on and an active, involved community. But, there is crime here.

According to the FBI’s statistics, in 2008 Goshen had 45 violent crimes. That number is small compared to Elkhart’s 210 violent crimes, but the number is far higher than most Goshenites realize.

We don’t think the city is on the skids in any way. It’s just that assaults, robberies and other crimes sometimes occur in even the best of communities. So it is heartening to see a group of community organizations working with the police department to present crime-prevention information tonight. As any police officer would say, the public is the first line of defense in fighting crime. No, we don’t mean the vigilante type of defense. Simply making a phone call to report a suspicious activity, or keeping a close eye on the neighbor’s house while they are away will do.

These passive types of help given to police officers can prevent crime and aid in the capture of criminals after an act has been committed.

We believe the most important crime-fighting tool ever invented is the cellular telephone. These phones allow local residents to quickly inform police officers of a drunken driver, a shoplifter, or a suspicious activity. Each day in Elkhart County police receive tips from cell phone owners about weaving drivers and other suspicious activities. Officers can then be directed by the callers to the exact location of concern and handle the situation.

Some of the messages that will be given tonight are for local residents to be aware of their surroundings, keep a watchful eye on their neighborhood and call police if they think anything is wrong.

That is good, simple advice that, when followed, will make Goshen an even better place to live.

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