ANDERSON— Home alone and there’s a knock at the door.
At 62 years old, Judy Pickering ignored the late-night visitor.
“Then your door gets kicked in,” she said. “And it’s the bad guys.”
Four years ago, a frightened Pickering joined CrimeWatch.
At the time Anderson’s program had dwindled to about 50 crimewatchers across the city, which has a population of 60,000. After about 2 years of hardwork and a special Anderson Police Department division, the program has picked up steam. There are now more than 700 crimewatchers, according to Anderson Assistant Police Chief Stan Young.
“We have more support,” said Pickering. “Anderson Police Department is 110 percent more supportive than in the past administrations.”
In 2008, Anderson police Chief Darron Sparks created the Community division, with four police officers and an assistant police chief to head the CrimeWatch program and additional community activities. These police officers have more time to investigate tips than typical officers.
“These officers are dedicated,” said Young. “And they love the community.”
But Community Officer Chris Frasier said it’s the citizens that make a difference.
“Especially with all the downsizing here in the department, we need the help,” he said.
According to Bev Browning, the Anderson City CrimeWatch coordinator, over 35 groups across the city watch over their neighborhoods.
Pickering’s Eastside group began in late October with a record 55 people showing up for the first meeting. She said crime isn’t as high in her new area but the number of people interested in the group see the writing on the wall.
“Just a presence helps,” said Pickering, who recently moved her CrimeWatch responsibilities with her residence. “The bad guys know that presence. And it deters a lot.”
At each group meeting, Officers Frasier, Steve Denny, Chad Boynton and Mike Williams give tips on how to be safe and the monthly crime statistics for the areas. Speakers give insight into the justice system and other neighborhood related topics.
Officers also collect HotSpot cards where participants give detailed information about crime they have seen or suspect. They can submit the tips anonymously. One such HotSpot card led to the recent capture of a cocaine dealer in the Courtyard Apartments.
“That’s what we do,” Browning said.
According to Denny, some tips aren’t accurate. But that’s only a small fraction, he said.
“At least we get to go and check it out,” Denny said. “We can tell them that they are safe.”
To make it easier on citizens who view CrimeWatch as “snitches,” the program formed a group for apartment managers who meet monthly to give officers tips from tenants, Young said.
But Pickering said no one should be scared to report crime. If necessary, she said, a caller can leave an anonymous tip with police dispatch.
“You don’t have to play cop but be aware of your surroundings,” she said.
Contact Christina M. Wright, 640-4883, christina.wright@heraldbulletin.com.
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