Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

CCIC Learns About Safety

There has been a spate of vandalism in Arkadelphia lately, resulting in damage to several vehicles.

Because of this, members of the Clark County Industrial Council (CCIC) were given tips on home and business safety by two officers with the Arkadelphia Police Department, Jason Watson and Chris Harper.

Watson said since January there have been 56 vehicles broken into or otherwise vandalized. It is important, he said, not to leave valuables inside the car.

He also suggested parking in lighted spaces and making sure the doors are locked. It's also a good idea to park as close as possible to the place you are going.

Cellular phones are a big target for the thieves, Watson said.

Members of the APD patrol throughout the city in plain clothes, watching to see if they can catch someone in the act of breaking into a vehicle, or commit other crimes.

He said few businesses call the APD for walk throughs, even though the department is more than glad to do them.

When a suspicious person enters a business, Watson said, it is a good idea for the police to be called. Then an officer can respond and be on hand should anything happen, but the officer's presence is likely to prevent any crime from occurring.

Watson said it is also a good idea for those in residential areas to contact the police if they see suspicious vehicles in their neighborhoods.

Harper told the CCIC members it is a good idea to copy down the serial number of anything they buy, such as a television, computer, stereo or other equipment. Having the serial number can help solve the crime if the item turns up at a pawn shop, as many do.

Bicycles, Harper said, also have serial numbers, normally located near the pedals. Many people don't know about bicycle serial numbers, which could make them easier to locate if they are stolen.

In cases of suspicious people or vehicles, Watson said, it is important to get as complete a description as possible, especially a license plate number. These people, he said, may be known to the APD and the information could lead to an arrest.

"Everything is basically common sense," he said, "in preventing a crime."

Several people have been arrested in connection with the local break ins, he said, and these crimes have slowed down.

There have been problems with citizens coming out to see what's happening when officers are in pursuit. This, the officers said, can be dangerous for the citizens and policemen alike.

Harper said people need to stay inside when a pursuit is underway and not come out as they could get hurt.

People coming out, Watson said, takes the officer's focus off the suspect and can result in them getting injured or killed.

Officers with the APD are putting programs on in local schools as part of the Smart Choices program. These programs teach students about crimes and the penalties for committing them.

When questioned about profiling, Watson said officers try not to do this as it can lead to misconceptions.

Harper said profiling is a bad thing and officers try and talk with people when they're on patrol. Looks, he said, can be deceiving and don't tell anything about a person except their tastes in clothing.

The best idea, the two said, is when someone doesn't apparently belong in a neighborhood, call the police and let them handle it.

There is a growing need for more citizens to be on the street, Harper said, and suggested starting neighborhood watch programs.

Members of such programs, he said, are not there to catch criminals, but to call the police when something happens.

Officers figure about 85 percent of the recent break ins are drug related. Addicts, Harper said, will do anything to get money for drugs, and this is a good reason not to leave valuables in plain sight in vehicles.

State Rep. Percy Malone said a bill was passed by the legislature creating mandatory sentences for those convicted of manufacturing drugs.

CCIC President Brown Hardman said the membership drive continues and is doing well, with the membership increased by 40 percent over last year.