By:Anthony Rifilato
Martinez has been trying to jump-start the program for some time. The program was founded in 1994 by George Dawson, a Baldwin resident and retired Assistant Director of the Nassau County Probation Department, who also was a main force behind the Opertion Night Watch Program. At its height, the Neighborhood Watch Program boasted 200 members and AT&T even donated five cellular phones to the program. But the program began to lose steam, until now.
"It's been idle for too long," said Martinez, the program's patrol chief and a member of the Baldwin Kiwanis Club and Baldwin Foundation for Education. "I want to get more people involved."
Martinez said he has already spoken to Nassau County Police Department Assistant Chief Tony Rocco and First Precinct Inspector Patrick O'Connor, who Martinez said are all for the initiative.
The Neighborhood Watch Program encourages residents to develop community watch groups and educates them on how to protect their property and neighborhoods. The group has meetings in which it not only focuses on quality of life and crime, but invites guest speakers from the police department as well. The meetings are held at the Baldwin Public Library.
While residents won't be chasing criminals or carrying firearms, areas or blocks are overseen by block captains who are responsible for being on the lookout, calling 911 if there is suspicious activity and keeping in touch with neighbors.
"It's supposed to be proactive," said Martinez. "If I hear something, I'm going to call the police."
Martinez is also trying to attract young people between ages 18 and 25 into the organization, and explained that his 18-year-old nephew, Mike, is getting his friends involved.
Since last week's death in Baldwin Harbor and other recent incidents such as the shootings outside Cousins bar, Martinez said, many residents have expressed interest in getting involved. His goal is to attract 500 members this year. "I spoke to so many people over the weekend and they said that they're excited," Martinez said.
He said that Harbor French Cleaners will maintain the organization's flags and banners free of charge, and that Baha Man Printer will produce the group's shirts at cost and may even donate some.
The group will also reach out to neighboring communities that have similar organizations, such as Freeport, in order to discuss the issues both towns contend with, whether it's gangs or quality-of-life matters. "Instead of pushing crime from one town to another, you work with them to solve it," said Martinez.
For more information, call Russ Martinez at (516) 378-8884.
