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Blockwatch Beat: How to catch the Hilltop Creeper
Are you sick of hearing about the Hilltop Creeper? The best way to stop hearing about him is to catch him. The same tactics used by blockwatches to apprehend a burglar will catch this individual. How does a blockwatch work? We don’t peek over fences or listen at windows. We are not vigilantes who take the law into our own hands. Being part of a blockwatch doesn’t mean countless meetings or putting yourself in danger. It means staying connected and sharing information with neighbors and police. Officers may not know everyone on your street, but you know who belongs there and who doesn’t. Police won’t know if a strange car is parked in the alley, but you do. Whether it’s a drug deal, a burglar or code violations, they all hurt our neighborhoods. Take the time to call the police non-emergency line at 645-4545 when you see a stranger in a yard, knocking on doors or looking for unlocked windows. Report suspicious individuals so police can check them out. Then let your blockwatch know so the entire neighborhood is watching. If the suspect turns out legitimate, then no harm is done. If they aren’t, then you may have caught a burglar or prevented a serious crime. Don’t forget to keep your porch lights on and keep all doors and windows locked. For information about joining or starting a blockwatch contact the Columbus Division of Police at 645-4610. Jay McCalister is coordinator of the Great Western Blockwatch.
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