I live in a fairly affluent suburb of NYC.  I usually feel very safe
during all times of the day, but I'm starting to hear that violent
crime is rising a bit, and I'm starting to see people walking around
in what looks very much like gang attire.
 Other than avoiding trouble and keeping an "awareness posture" what
can I do as an "ordinary citizen" to help fight crime?

Dear pcventures-ga;

Thank you for allowing me an opportunity to answer your interesting
question. There are more than 100 Volunteers in Police Service
programs in New York; two of which are in New York City and the rest
are in outlying areas. You may find this to be an option in your
effort to assist your community in fighting crime:

CITIZEN CORPS
http://www.citizencorps.gov/citizenCorps/partnersforstate.do?partnerid=3&state=NY

You may also get involved in an organized Neighborhood Watch Program
in your area. You can find out more about these by contacting your
local police department.

NEW YORK NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
http://criminaljustice.state.ny.us/ofpa/neighborhoodwatch.htm

Another thing you could so is to go check out the National Crime
Prevention Council where you will find a number of publications and
opportunities to become educated on methods citizens can use to help
find or deter crime in their neighborhoods.

NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL
http://www.ncpc.org/
http://www.ncpc.org/ncpc/ncpc/?pg=5882-2282
http://www.ncpc.org/ncpc/ncpc/?pg=5882-3200


Citizens Committee for New York City is another excellent project you
could become involved in. There are several safety and crime
prevention programs in this project that utilize citizen volunteers.
Through CCNYC you can even organize your own neighborhood, establish
leadership, have meeting to discuss your specific problem areas and
even put your own neighborhood website online for FREE so you can
better communicate with your neighbors.

CITIZENS COMMITTEE FOR NEW YORK CITY
http://ccnyc.neighborhoodlink.com/ccnyc/
http://ccnyc.neighborhoodlink.com/ccnycfiles/Free%20Website%20Tip%20Sheet.pdf

Get educated about crime prevention ? not only so YOU can use it but
so you can teach it to others.

NEW YORK STATE DIVISION OF POLICE
?Crime Prevention & Safety Publications?
http://www.troopers.state.ny.us/Publications/


In short, the best things you can do involve organization of your
community (in a leadership of membership role), education (of yourself
and others), involvement, persistence and vigilance. Having spent a
lifetime in law enforcement myself I applaud your enthusiasm to help.
You are a credit to your community and I wish I had a dozen neighbors
like you.

I hope you find that my research exceeds your expectations. If you
have any questions about my research please post a clarification
request prior to rating the answer. Otherwise, I welcome your rating
and your final comments and I look forward to working with you again
in the near future. Thank you for bringing your question to us.

Best regards;
Tutuzdad ? Google Answers Researcher


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Request for Answer Clarification by pcventures-ga on 27 Oct 2005 20:46 PDT

tutuz - another great response - thanks!

Before I close/rate/tip:

Is it helpful to Law Enforcement to take pictures of
any "unsavory" people if the pictures are taken in public?

I was once in a situation in which two young punks
started talking to me for no reason - I think they
were trying to start something, but there was no
actual "confrontation" - would it have been helpful
in any way to take pictures of these guys, even
if nothing ultimately happened?

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Clarification of Answer by tutuzdad-ga on 28 Oct 2005 06:36 PDT

Honestly, in the situation you described, I see no productive effort
in taking pictures of questionable people. The true is that some
people just "look" unsavory while others may look that way and not
even be aware of it. Giving your ability to judge character the
benefit of the doubt, let's say that these fellows were indeed "sizing
you up". There's an old adadge in police work that describes a person
who is killed with his own weapon (taken away from him by the person
he was trying to defend himself against):

"He brought the only gun to the gun fight."

Sometimes (as it turned out in your situation) what seems
confrontational proves not to be. Had you whipped out your camera and
started taking pictures you might have effectively accused these men
of doing something that they had not done. This would certainly have
escalted the situation beyond their intentions. Having said that, the
camera itself would have been the catalyst of confrontation and as
such you might have brought the only gun to the gun fight. See what I
mean?

If you feel that taking pictures is productive, do it - but do it in a
clandestine manner from your a protected vatage point that has no risk
of discovery. If you are found out it can explode into an unnecessary
series of never-ending harassment for you. One such incident happened
just recently in Toledo when a man decided he'd take pipctures of
"thugs" and "criminals" in his neighborhood. Not only did he think he
was helping police he thought that by being "seen" taking pictures of
these youths that they'd eventually start avoding his neighborhood.
Instead, just the opposite occured and his actions are said to have
spawed the recent riots there.

No. I'd think twice about taking pictures if I thought anyone might
see me I was doing it.

tutuzdad-ga

Tutuz - great hints on citizen involvement, and excellent (and
patient) explanation regarding snapping pix of "unsavory" people.
I will take your advice.