NCRW Named as Illinois Crime Prevention Association's
2009 Crime Prevention Organization of the Year!
The Naperville Community Radio Watch (NCRW) was established in
1982 as a partnership between the police department and a group of citizen
volunteers who were interested in helping their community. These members received specialized training from police department personnel and
since that time the NCRW has logged thousands of patrol hours acting as
additional eyes and ears for the Naperville Police Department. The NCRW
currently works under the direction of the police department's Youth and
Community Services Unit. The NCRW's intent is not to replace the
patrol activities of police officers, but to provide the city, the police
department, and most important, the citizens, families and children of
Naperville with additional trained observation capabilities to reduce
crime and enhance public safety.
Citizen Volunteers Serving Their Community.
The
Naperville Community Radio Watch is one of many reasons why in 1997 the City of
Naperville was rated the number one city in which to raise a family. The NCRW has received many commendations from state and local officials and has
been featured in the Daily Herald, The Chicago Tribune, the Naperville
Sun, and the Channel 5
News. An article contained in the April 24th,
1997
Chicago Tribune related the story of a convicted car burglar sentenced to
community service after he was arrested with the help of a group of
citizens on patrol. A quote from that article states: "Naperville is
filled with (people) riding around ... looking for (crime) ... (to call in
on) police radios. He will not be coming back."
Police Sergeant Elizabeth Brantner-Smith (Ret.), has been contacted by countless police agencies and citizens groups from as far away as Canada, Great Britain, and Jamaica interested in learning about the Naperville CRW. "Members of the group .. are trained to know that the darkness can transform ... the landscape of the suburbs." Brantner said in the recent Chicago Tribune. "A training session once a month keeps the watchers skills sharp."