About 15 years ago I devised a neighborhood watch plan with a twist and I called it the Neighborhood Mobile Watch Patrol. The plan worked great, the PR was good for the city and getting volunteers to sign up was the easier than easy, we had to turn peopling away in fact.

The plan worked well for a while and eventually politics curtailed the efforts and the newness wore off. Crime went down and the program no longer took high-priority. A victim of its own success; perhaps? Recently, I was reminded of this plan I had created when someone emailed me and said it is too bad the project did not last and I replied:

I tend to agree that Thousand Oaks, CA should have stayed with the program; however also understand the politics of law enforcement as well. The contracted Sheriffs department wanted control and the City wanted reduced crime and a more community based program. Getting everyone on the same page is not easy.

Indeed, I do recall during the Crime Symposium that it was well received and the City Council as well. Grant Brim hall, city manager (Devout Mormon), also liked it and it is interesting that the program with modifications is being used today all across UT. Additionally, the National Sheriff's Association and the American Trucking Association combined it with their program and they did catch the DC Shooters, and I am proud to have developed my Neighborhood Watch Patrol Plan.

Often, it should be noted that human politics get in the way of good ideas and the best system in the world will fail if it is not accepted and the worst system will appear to be working if it is accepted. I am not bitter or concerned; I chocked it up to experience and now better understand how the world works. All politics really is local. Well, the plan is still available and if you wish to learn more about how it works, here is the link.