Utah Neighborhood Watch Shooting Incident
By Art Hanson on July 24th, 2009 | 1 Comment »The unfortunate shooting incident earlier this week in Utah where a man on Neighborhood Watch patrol was shot and critically injured by a neighbor illustrates a few very important points.
1. Observe, Record, Report – do NOT confront. That’s where the Police come in. The man on Patrol approached and questioned two teenage girls. He should not have done that.
2. Involve your neighbors. The article quotes a neighbor as saying “Campos, who himself was a victim in the recent spate of burglaries, apparently was not aware of Serbeck’s neighborhood watch initiative”. If you’re driving by slowly late at night, looking around, neighbors are going to think that you’re the threat. If you’re using your vehicle to patrol for a watch program, mark your vehicle with some sort of flag or decal. Better yet, get some magnetic door signs that can easily be transferred between neighbors.
3. This is a perfect example of why we think the ‘Nation of Neighbors’ concept is a good idea. The two men involved in this incident were neighbors. They should have been working together on the same page. If this Neighborhood Watch group were using Nation of Neighbors and the man on patrol had ‘reported’ the girls a report would have been sent to his neighbors and police instantly. His neighbor may have seen the report and replied that it was his daughter and this situation could have been avoided. My point here is not to tout Nation of Neighbors – there are a lot of assumptions to this scenario. My point is that communication is the key to success in any community project – especially Neighborhood Watch.
What a horrible tragedy where two respected Neighborhood Volunteers have both become victims to their good intentions!
As Art clearly described, communication was non-existent here. We also do NOT know all the facts and circumstances of this incident.
A Watch Patrol is very different from the traditional Neighborhood Watch role and requires more discipline, clear standards, ongoing communication capability and a great deal more training and preparation.
In the Shannondale Safety Patrol, where we have been doing this for almost 48 years, all new Responders are required to ride with an experienced Senior Member to learn the rules and safeguards and to be evaluated for temperament and judgment under stress before being permitted to patrol. Patrols are also required to maintain radio contact with the SSP base station when they are actively working or leave the vehicle.
A properly trained Responder has also developed the skills of talking with others without being confrontational. Watch Patrols are great resources in promoting safe neighborhoods and communities but participants must remember always that they are “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” and should not assume the role of the LE professional.
Ask your Sheriff or Chief to assist with proper training and safeguards if you decide that you need a Watch Patrol in your area!