Crime Watch Is Underway
Clark Township
By Amy Polk

When Elizabeth Fels discovered an attempted break-in at her home, she ordered a security system.

While away for scarcely four hours Saturday, November 3, two of her screens were slashed, but no entry was made. It was the second attempted break-in at her Hessel residence and Village Idiom Book Store. The first time, thieves succeeded in stealing cash, she told The St. Ignace News. Now, indoor and outdoor motion detectors will automatically call the police if her home is invaded.

Such incidents underscore the fear and frustration that brought more than 30 residents to Clark Township's first Neighborhood Watch meeting Wednesday, November 7. Most of those at the meeting were victims of theft or break-ins, or knew someone who had been victimized. Everyone was looking for a way to reduce crime in Clark Township. By the end of the meeting, the group had an interim program coordinator, Loren Dingman of Cedarville. Two "block captains," people who are in charge of sections of the community, were also assigned. Diane Galloway is the Hessel block captain and Joe Forrester is the Cedarville block captain. Over the next months, they will schedule meetings where volunteers will learn how to better protect themselves against crime and identify clues that can help police solve crimes.

"We have to start somewhere, because all that is necessary for evil to take over is for good people to do nothing," said Mr. Dingman, paraphrasing the famous Edmund Burke quote.

Neighborhood Watch may not stop crime, but it might be an important tool in helping police during investigations where evidence and clues are hard to come by, Mackinac County Sheriff Scott Strait told people at the meeting. It may be something as simple as noting an unfamiliar car in one's neighborhood, and submitting that information to police if a crime was committed in the area. Information like that could provide police with leads.

"We train your eyes and your ears, so you can look and see what's out of place, what's different in your community," Mr. Strait said. "Cops aren't born that way. They learn how to look for things."

The Neighborhood Watch program is community-driven and must be led by residents, not the police. Sheriff Strait emphasized that police agencies do not lead or organize the Neighborhood Watch program, but that Mackinac County Sheriff's Department will provide training and education. Deputy Ivan Wilde is the county's new training officer and is available to meet with residents and teach them how to run a Neighborhood Watch program. Training can be adjusted to whatever the community needs or wants. Volunteers also do not have to wait to be more watchful and conscious of security.

"You start tonight, after you leave here," Sheriff Strait told the group.

More than anything, however, he encouraged residents to make things more difficult for criminals by installing alarm systems, locking homes and businesses when they are vacant, and installing more security lighting. If someone has difficulty breaking into a building or stealing something, they are more likely to give up, Sheriff Strait said. Having trouble getting into a place may also engage the criminal long enough for police to catch them.

"We need to harden our targets," he said. "We want to make this community much harder to break into."

Over the past three years, Mackinac County Sheriff's Department has investigated approximately 40 break-ins and larcenies in the Clark Township area. Most of the crimes are driven by the poor economy and substance abuse, Sheriff Strait said.

"What drives crime? No one really knows, but I think it's due to a number of problems. First of all is economics. When people don't have money, they steal to get what they need. That, and substance abuse, tend to lead to crime. I think until the economy turns around," he said, "we're going to have to find ways to protect ourselves."

Economic factors are also making it more difficult to catch and keep criminals in prison. He spoke of state government budget reductions that may reduce prison sentences for convicted criminals. There are only five road deputies in the county covering 1,100 square miles, Sheriff Strait said, when he thinks there should be three to five more. The Michigan State Police is also operating with limited patrols, and the state announced it will close the Upper Peninsula's crime laboratory this year to save money.

Until there are more police on the roads, citizens need to keep a closer eye on their properties and look out for their neighbors.

"If you notice someone doing something you think looks suspicious, write it down. Keep a log. Call the administrative line of the sheriff's office or the Neighstudent borhood Watch," he suggested. "If people keep track of all this and let us know, it helps us to help you. Something is going to have to happen for us to do that, and connect the dots, so that we can build a case."

Additional suggestions from the audience included writing down license plate numbers or digital photographs of vehicles where drivers have unusual behavior, such as squealing tires or driving very slowly.

Sheriff Strait again warned residents to avoid becoming vigilantes and encouraged them to talk to the police. Too few people are calling the police when they are victims of crime, he said. He described an example in which a local man told him, two months after the incident, that gasoline was getting stolen from his boat. Had the department known earlier, the scene of the habitual crime could have been monitored with a new camera the department has, and the criminal might have been caught in the act, Sheriff Strait said.

Sheriff Strait directed residents to the www.usaonwatch.org Web site for Neighborhood Watch information, and safety and security tips. USA on Watch is an expansion of the program that includes national security tips and information.