Volunteer

Westside Neighborhood Watch Needs Volunteers:
The WNW program is an opportunity to promote mutual understanding between citizens and law enforcement. Join our fight against crime by joining the WNW. You are the extra eyes and ears of Law Enforcement. We will teach you how to observe and report suspicious activity. Through our mutual communication, we can make our community a better and safer place to live.
The best crime prevention device is a good neighborhood. The security steps you and your neighbors take as a group are just as important as the things you do individually.
The WNW operates on the concept that effective crime prevention requires cooperation with law enforcement. WNW is “neighbors looking out for the welfare of our neighbors.” It is a coalition of citizens who are concerned about the neighborhood where they live and are willing to become involved in the betterment of their community.
It is only by working together that we can truly be effective in our fight against crime. The WNW can do a lot to prevent crime, both through intense patrol efforts and educational programs.
However, all this can be ineffectual if you do not do your part to deny the criminal the opportunity to commit a crime.
Volunteer at the next Westside Neighborhood Watch meeting.

Shawnee Sentinel Program

The topic tonight that was sponsored by the Shawnee Pd., was on the proposal of a Sentinel program based on the program in Lawton, Oklahoma that was formed in 1992. Steve Martin was the guest speaker along with three of Lawton's Sentinel volunteer's. The following is a rundown on what a sentinel is, what they do, their training, and what you have to do to become one.

A Sentinel is a volunteer who works with the police at no additional cost to the citizens.

Some of the things that Citizen Sentinel volunteer's to do is: Help with traffic control, residence checks during the day when someone is on vacation, an escort of a funeral procession,officer assist, assists with court records, impounds, offence reports,playground checks,parking tickets and much much more.
A Sentinel is required to work at least 16 hours a month, they do not carry any defensive weapons, and works in a two man team.

A Sentinel receives training in the following areas: Traffic Control, Geography of the town area, Radio communication, patrol procedures, report writing, vehicle maintenance, Sentinel's also go through 40 hours of in the field training: CPR, Hazmat/blood borne pathogens, and defensive driving just to name a few.

If a person is interested in becoming a Sentinel you must go through the Citizens Police Academy, be 21 years of age and older, complete an application, have a background check, and do an interview with a panel of police officers and previous sentinels.

If you want to know more about the Shawnee Police Department and how they function, join the next Citizen Police Academy and let's get together to make this town a safer place to be.