CAMBRIDGE, MD - In response to growing concerns about neighborhood safety, the Cambridge Police Department is encouraging residents to take matters into their own hands by proposing the formation of a neighborhood watch program. The announcement comes with neighbors concerns of incidents of car break-ins and shootings, prompting local leaders and law enforcement to advocate for a proactive approach to combatting crime.
Wednesday night, the Cambridge Police Department to discussed the proposed neighborhood watch program during a CAN (Cambridge Association of Neighbors) meeting, urging residents to participate in what they describe as a "help us, help you" initiative. Captain Antoine Patton of the Cambridge Police Department emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating, "We realize that in police work now, we need the community to help us. They are the eyes and ears of the community, they are there [in neighborhoods] 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which we are not. So, we need the community to help us rid the crime in the city of Cambridge."
The proposed neighborhood watch program calls for groups of 5 to 6 neighbors from around three different blocks to come together, with no patrolling required. Instead, residents are encouraged to keep a vigilant eye out their windows for anything unusual and to promptly report any suspicious activity to the police.
Captain Patton explained, "Simply call the police if they see anything. We have meetings once a month, and during those meetings, they'd discuss anything out of the ordinary that they see in their community that needs police attention." Each neighborhood watch group would have a designated captain responsible for contacting the police in case of an emergency. And each neighborhood has a designated police officer.
While some residents express eagerness to participate in the program, there are concerns about potential dangers. Sandy, a Cambridge resident, highlighted the need for collective vigilance, stating, "There's been a lot of criminal activity going on, a lot of thefts, a lot of breaking and entering. If neighbors would work together, then we could keep an eye on each other."
However, Mark Simmons, owner of Mark's Mulch, voiced concerns about potential confrontations: "I think it would be [dangerous] because you really don't know what you're going against. You could get hurt or shot or anything."
Despite differing opinions, the overall objective is to empower the community and give residents a sense of control over criminal behavior. Cambridge already has existing neighborhood watch programs, and tonight's meeting aims to encourage more participation. In addition to discussing the proposed program, the police provided updates on the juvenile curfew and the arrests they've made so far.