Sheriff's Department
Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department
https://www.calhouncountymi.gov/departments/sheriffs_office/index.php
Neighborhood Watch
Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the country, bringing citizens together with law enforcement to deter crime and make communities safer.
Sponsored by the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), Neighborhood Watch can trace its roots back to the days of colonial settlements, when night watchmen patrolled the streets. The modern version of Neighborhood Watch was developed in response to requests from sheriffs and police chiefs who were looking for a crime prevention program that would involve citizens and address an increasing number of burglaries.
Launched in 1972, Neighborhood Watch counts on citizens to organize themselves and work with law enforcement to keep a trained eye and ear on their communities, while demonstrating their presence at all times of day and night. (The program took off quickly: in just ten years, NSA data showed that 12 percent of the population was involved in a Neighborhood Watch.) Neighborhood Watch works because it reduces opportunities for crime to occur; it doesn’t rely on altering or changing the criminal’s behavior or motivation.
For more information on Neighborhood Watch programs, tips, and strategies, visit the National Crime Prevention Council Website.
Teen CERT Program
Pennfield Student CERT members are trained to perform the following operations and duties:
- Light search and rescue
- Fire extinguishment in the incipient phases only
- Triage of trauma victims
- Set up and staff R&R areas
- Crowd control on major incidents
- Provide basic first aid for public events
- Set up and staff emergency shelters
- Set up and staff a spontaneous volunteer intake center
- Provide support at an incident site and at Emergency Operations Center
The Pennfield Teen CERT has 20 students that meet 3 to 4 times a month to train and practice some of the above skills. The Teen Cert group will be utilized during sports events, and activities at the school, under the supervision of the Sheriff Department.
Fast $50 Program
Silent Observer piloted the Fast 50 program in the Pennfield School District. Following a successful one-year test period, the Fast 50 Program is now being offered to other local school districts.
The Fast 50 Program is a school safety program that enables students to call the Silent Observer phone number, (269) 964-3888. By calling the Silent Observer phone number, students can anonymously report information on the presence of weapons, drugs, theft, damage to property within the school setting, or information regarding anything that would endanger the safety of students, faculty, and the building. Students also have the option to report information to their school liaison officer.
The goal of the Fast 50 Program is to make the local school environment safer. The cost associated with the program promotion and rewards will be the responsibility of the Silent Observer Program. Tips from students will be received on the Silent Observer line at (269) 964-3888. This line is located at the Battle Creek Dispatch Center, is answered 24 hours each day, and has no caller ID function. It is completely anonymous.
A $50 reward will be paid to student tipsters upon the validation of information and does not require the arrest or suspension of the offender.