By Jim Crosby
The Crozet Safety Corps is launching a drive to recruit members in each neighborhood in the greater Crozet community. Their campaign will kick off officially at the May 8 meeting of the Crozet Community Association at 7:30 p.m. in the Field School.
The CSC is recognized by the Albemarle County Police Department as its first community safety group. The corps’ liaison officer is Crime Prevention Specialist Andrew Gluba, Jr., who keeps corps members informed of crimes occurring in the county and advises citizens on how to avoid becoming victims. The return of warm weather in spring typically coincides with an increase in crimes of opportunity such as car break-ins, vandalism, home burglaries, and snatch-and-run crimes.
“Our partnership with the Albemarle County Police Department is well established and their support and cooperation have been outstanding,” said CSC chair Tom Loach. “Police have responded to several members’ concerns and calls for service, resulting in excellent resolutions of those concerns. Our aim now is to grow our numbers and train for service to our neighborhoods. A number of our members have completed Citizen Emergency Response Team (CERT) training through the 911 Center. We want to extend our corps into every neighborhood around Crozet.”
Members of the corps work to heighten crime prevention awareness, boost participation in local anti-crime programs, strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships, and send the message to criminals that Crozet’s neighborhoods are organized and fighting back. CSC members are issued lime green safety vests with the CSC logo printed on them, navy blue baseball cap bearing the corps name and photo ID cards.
The ACPD has designed a new neighborhood sign that announces the presence of neighbors watching for criminal and suspicious activity within their communities. The new signs will replace old Neighborhood Watch signs, some of which can still be seen throughout the county. The new signs will be available to neighborhoods that have at least one resident who is a CSC member who can act as the liaison between them, the Corps, and the police department.
The CSC will hold its next quarterly meeting Monday, April 7, at 7:30 p.m. in the Crozet Firehouse. Anyone interested is urged to attend.
