Neighborhood watch groups can make a difference

Staff

Published Sunday, April 27, 2003

Suffolk News-Herald

Suffolk's "Crime Line" serves as a link between law enforcement and the public, providing people with a means of assisting police in finding offenders and also helping them find stolen property or illegal substances.

During the past week several drug offenders were picked up on warrants issued by the police department.

Several other people were arrested who were charged with violent crimes ranging from assault and battery on a family member to more violent crimes, some involving firearms. Still others simply gave themselves up after seeing their photograph in the pages of the News-Herald.

Many of those arrested are now sitting in Western Tidewater Regional Jail where they await prosecution on everything from rape to malicious wounding. In some instances, having offenders with violent histories removed from the streets helps improve life in the places where they lived prior to arrest.

More and more people are participating in the Police Department's "Citizen's Police Academy," a program that teaches members of the community how to establish a "Neighborhood Watch" program, among many other skills including how to be a good observer.

Armed with their new skills as "watchers," these people take back their neighborhoods from those who would destroy the peace and disrupt the lives of innocent people. In one neighborhood, the Kingsboro area, a Neighborhood Watch group literally snatched back its peaceful tree-lined streets from vandals and thieves bent on destruction and stealing everything from cars to lawnmowers. The members learned their skills from those who had participated in the program.

Now, they watch... armed with pens and paper, they keep a close eye on their once again quiet little community. They stand ready to jot down descriptions of those who are unknown in the area; those who seem to be wandering around with no particular place to go. They also watch for any surreptitious meetings in shady or dark spots-they could be drug deals.

Regardless of the crime, the Kingsboro and Skeetertown neighborhoods and many others are now prepared to report on any type of suspicious activities in their respectable and peaceful communities. This is what "Crime Line" is all about.

Armed with a Saturday edition of the News-Herald, many people are now watching for the offenders of law listed each week in the "Most Wanted" columns. Each week, information is provided; names, last known addresses, dates of birth, race and gender, height and weight, and the charged for which they are wanted. Each week, the calls roll in to Crime Line at 539-1222, and each week police officers take the information provided by the civic minded citizens and make the arrests of the wanted offenders. No caller should ever stress over whether it is safe to call for fear of "getting involved." At no time will a police officer or any other person ask for a caller's name. At no time will a caller be asked to testify in court.

Callers to Crime Line need only give the name of the wanted person, where they have been seen, what time they were observed, what clothing they are wearing, and if possible, a vehicle description with the license place number.

At no time is any caller to approach one of the wanted people. Instead, simply call Crime Line at 539-1222. One other important point; if a caller's information leads to an arrest, the caller is eligible for up to $1,000 reward.

This week's most wanted include;

-- Jose Millan, 315 Pebble Creek Dr., DOB 1-30-83, a white male, 5'7" tall, 140 pounds, charged with failure to appear and possession of a controlled substance, marijuana

-- Toneka Shorine Trotter, 608-A Battery Ave., DOB 7-12-77, a black female, 5'2" tall, 215 pounds, charged with failure to appear, obtaining money by false pretense, contempt of court and concealed weapon

-- Patrick Joseph Fitzgerald, 6314 Whaleyville Blvd., DOB 10-15-80, a white male, 5'11" tall, 200 pounds, charged with contempt of court and breaking and entering

-- Trinard V. Bailey, 818 Garfield Ave., DOB 12-28-81, a black male, 6' tall, 220 pounds, charged with failure to appear

-- James Daryl Davis, 243 Chestnut St., DOB 11-13-59, a white male, 6' tall, 200 pounds, charged with failure to pay child support

-- Calvin Jean Bell Jr., 1307-N Forest Oak Ln., DOB 2-17-72, a black male, 5'10" tall, 280 pounds, charged with worthless check

-- Tony Seaville Miles, 114 Nancy Dr. #1007K, DOB 9-28-78, a black male, 5'7" tall, 160 pounds, charged with failure to appear, possession with intent to distribute cocaine, suspended license, and defective equipment

-- Trevor Stephon Goodman, 102 Bailey Circle, DOB 7-20-70, a black male, 5'9" tall, 150 pounds, charged with forgery, uttering, grand larceny

-- Andrew Hardy Jones, 6741 S. Quay Rd., DOB 8-27-64, a white male, 6'2" tall, 195 pounds, charged with violation of probation, attempted statutory burglary

-- Durrell Wayne Parrish, 1615 Rivercreek Dr., DOB 3-10-66, a black male, 5'5" tall, 160 pounds, charged with violation of probation, third offense concealment

-- Douglas Rydell, 115-1/2 Chestnut St., DOB 12-10-79, a black male, 5'7" tall, 170 pounds, charged with shooting into occupied dwelling, discharging a firearm in public place, reckless handling of a firearm

-- Dustin Wade Smith, 6220 Old Myrtle Rd., DOB 11-29-77, a white male, 5'8" tall, 168 pounds, charged with unauthorized use of an auto

-- Rollie James Gatling, 234 N. 5th St., DOB 1-20-57, a black male, 6'2" tall, 230 pounds, charged with unauthorized use of an auto, violation of probation and possession of a controlled substance, cocaine

-- Antron Anthony Boykins, 260-1/2 Pine St., DOB 8-17-83, a black male, 5'9" tall, 135 pounds, charged with discharging a firearm at an occupied building, failure to pay child support

-- Michael Donald Reid, 510 Ashley Ave., DOB 12-31-55, a black male, 6'3" tall, 240 pounds, charged with violation of probation and third offense larceny.

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