Preventing Crime in Desert Ridge
Over the past few years, our Association has taken many steps to reduce crime in our community. Perhaps the most successful program has been our Off-duty Officer Patrol. This program employs off-duty police officers in City of Phoenix patrol cars, adding to the existing police presence. It does not replace the service already provided by the City; rather, it adds an additional 25 patrol shifts per month. The Off-duty program also provides a “vacation watch” service that has been used by hundreds of vacationing Desert Ridge residents.
The Off-Duty Patrol program focuses on Desert Ridge only, but it does not include CityNorth, the Desert Ridge Mall or other areas in the commercial core. Our patrol does not cover homes in Aviano, as they maintain a similar, but separate program of their own.
Over the past two years, the results have been amazing – total crime has dropped over 60%. We have jailed criminals responsible for the burglaries in our community, shut down drug operations, apprehended irresponsible drivers traveling over 100 MPH through our streets and arrested dangerous drivers with Super Extreme DUI’s.
SILENT WITNESS
Last month, the Desert Ridge Community Association (DRCA) Board passed a motion creating a fund for Silent Witness. This fund will pay a reward of up to $1,000 for Witness, bringing the total to as much as $2,000.00.
Silent Witness is a 501C(3) non-profit program created to give citizens the opportunity to assist law enforcement in solving crimes. Citizens remain completely anonymous and are paid cash rewards of up to $1,000 when the information they provide leads to an arrest or indictment.
Established in 1979, Silent Witness works in partnership with the community, media and law enforcement, and is a member of both Crime Stoppers USA and Crime Stoppers International.
If you or someone has a crime to report anonymously, call 480.WITNESS (480-948-6377). You can also submit information by texting “SILENT” plus your message to 274637 (CRIMES). There is more information available at the SILENT WITNESS website silentwitness.org.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Silent Witness is an effective program that will help solve crimes and reduce rates in our neighborhoods; however, it is not the only answer. The Phoenix Police Department has repeatedly told us that the four most important things we can each do deter crime are:
1) Keep the garage door closed when not in use.
2) Place a lock on the side gate to limit access to the backyard.
3) Lock your vehicle, hide valuables and remove the garage door opener.
4) Keep landscaping trimmed and lights on at night to increase visibility.
As President of the DRCA Board, I assure you that proactively fighting crime is an important priority. Please join us in our efforts to reduce crime in Desert Ridge and together we will win this battle. Report anything suspicious to the Phoenix Police Department Crime-stop Line at (602) 262-5161. If you observe a crime in progress, please dial 911.
As always, we thank you for your support and look forward to seeing you in the neighborhood.
Doug Dickson
President
Desert Ridge Community Association
