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People who have jobs which require extensive travel through local communities (like delivery services, real estate agents, and utility companies) are often in positions which they may see crimes in action or suspicious behavior. Sometimes, just by being in a particular area at just the right time, they may even unknowingly act as a deterrent for criminal activity.

The Neighborhood Arson Mobile Watch program seeks to enhance a community’s prevention and containment strategy by providing concerned citizens, whose professions require extensive driving, with proper training and signage materials to even further deter criminal acts and stop fire outbreaks quickly.

Learning how to recognize suspicious behavior and knowing which local authorities to contact is one of the key components of the training. Just knowing the correct phone number, rather than dialing 911, can greatly reduce the amount of time it takes for the proper authorities to respond, and keep 911 lines open for other emergencies. Another key component of the program is providing magnetic signs on business and service vehicles, and use static cling stickers on other vehicles which read: “We report suspicious behavior to our local authorities.” This lets potential arsonists know right away that they should not risk any illegal activity; a trained and aware crime watcher is in the area.

Each participant in the program attends a 30-minute seminar at the local Chamber of Commerce with a Community Relations Officer from the Police Department, Fire Marshall or USDA Forestry Service Community Prevention Advisor. They will receive a certificate and then be issued two magnetic signs or a set of static cling stickers for their car(s). We will ask participation from Chamber Members to start and as things prove to be effective we will increase participation and education of the process. We will alert the media to this program and give credit to the participants for helping our city or town. The participants will need some sort of two-way communication, such as a cellular phone, two-way radio with a dispatcher or wireless Internet access.

I hope these ideas will assist you in setting up your Community Arson Watch Program. Think on this.