Citizens Radio Patrol Program cut off crime in the neighborhoods in Detroit

What began in the 1960s as a basic effort to support the Detroit police has developed into one of the most effective, yet less known criminal instruments in the city. The Citizens Radio Patrol Program and especially the Greenacres Woodward Community Radio Patrol (GWCRP) proves that crime decreases when the residents rise.

In the district of Greenacres, limited by the eight mile road, the Pembroke Avenue, the Woodward Avenue and the Levernois Avenue, volunteers have been patrol on the streets since 1986. Your mission is to be the eyes and ears of the police.

“No matter in which city or in which state you are, wherever there is an active radio patrol, the crime is reduced by at least 70%,” said James A. Ward Jr., President of GWCRP.

Ward, who leaves Jim, saw the effects out of the first hand.

“We had drug houses in this community, we had two would -be gangs, we had prostitution, none of it exists today,” he said. “We are not vigilant, we are not MPs, [but when] People know that they watch, they go elsewhere. “

It is a strategy that worked. During the start of the patrol at the end of the 80s, burglaries in the neighborhood fell dramatically.

These volunteers are not armed or confrontative. Instead, they rely on visibility and presence. Ward describes it as “loud neighbors”, the way that makes potential criminals think twice.

The program, which once had more than 40 active patrols in the city, has had a strong decline since the pandemic. Today only 18. But Ward is confident that the city would feel the difference if every neighborhood had one.

“The crime is reduced, but it doesn't happen overnight,” he said.

For Ward, the reward is not only safer roads, but a stronger sense of community.

“People talk to each other. People smile,” he said. “It's a good feeling. That makes me proud of Detroit.”

The Citizens Radio Patrol program from Detroit is always looking for volunteers. Further information on the introduction can be found on the program of the program.