From RCIPS

RCIPS Community Officers in Bodden Town joined forces with the residents of Valley Garden on Saturday, 10 March, to launch the first neighborhood watch program in Bodden Town for 2018. A total of eight neighborhood watches are currently active in the district.

The initiative aims to tackle crime and offer support for local communities by empowering residents to be more observant about their community, and to share information with each other and the police. The RCIPS Bodden Town Community team, led by Sergeant Cornelius Pompey, helped facilitate the launch. Sergeant Pompey was joined by Community Officers PC Artwell, PC Matthews, and PC Clifford Garcia, whose beat covers the Valley Garden area.

During the launch, Sergeant Pompey gave an overview of the aims and objectives of the recently launched Community Policing Department. He also encouraged the residents to support the Police in their fight against crime through neighbourhood watches.

“Neighbourhood watches greatly increase security if they are active,” Sergeant Pompey said, “and just as importantly, they increase everyone’s sense of security, just because you know who your neighbours are and that everyone has agreed to look out for each other.”

Guest speaker Mr. Tony Scott, who is the neighbourhood watch coordinator for North Cayman Palms, echoed similar sentiments when he spoke on the importance of forming a neighborhood watch.

“This is designed to help residents work together as a community to improve personal safety and to encourage a better relationship among all in the community,” said Mr. Scott. “It is important for you to share information with the police and have a good relationship with your community beat officer.”

There were over 40 persons in attendance at the launch including MLAs Anthony Eden and Chris Saunders.

A photo taken at the gathering is attached.

On Sunday, 11 March, the Bodden Town Community team met with the neighbourhood watch group in North Sound Gardens to introduce the Community Officer for the area, PC Reynold Matthews.

Anyone living in the Bodden Town area who wishes to have a similar program in their community can contact the Bodden Town Community Policing Department at 947-2220 or email Sergeant Pompey at [email protected]