Community Involvement

Neighborhood Watch groups offer citizens the ability to work with law enforcement to prevent crime. Neighbors look out for each other and act as the "eyes and ears of law enforcement."

While Township residents are fortunate to live in an area of low crime, it's important to stay vigilant. Reporting crimes and suspicious activity provides deputies with valuable information that helps keep property crimes in check.

Neighborhood Watch groups typically meet monthly or bimonthly in someone's home. Deputies are available to attend meetings where they can offer updates on neighborhood crime, explain services offered by the sheriff's office, or provide crime prevention information.

If you would like to participate in a Neighborhood Watch or start a new group for your neighborhood, contact the Community Oriented Policing (COP) officer at 937-432-2771.

The MCSO Community Oriented Policing (COP) officer reaches out to Washington Township businesses with visits and crime prevention information. The goal is to build working relationships and collect contact information so that businesses and deputies can work together to combat crime.

Sharing information is useful for alerting businesses about crimes as well as calling on them for assistance. Businesses who would like to be involved in the Business Watch project can contact the Community Oriented Policing (COP) officer at 937-432-2771.

Washington Township has three dedicated school resource officers, and every public and private school has a SRO available. Younger children receive in-school training about pedestrian safety, seat belts, stranger awareness, and Beggar's Night safety. Older students receive information on topics such as good citizenship, substance abuse prevention, mediation skills, and violence in society.

For more information about our School Resource Officers and the type of education they provide to students, please contact Deputy Brandon Baker, Deputy Grafton Bowersox, or Deputy Brandon Williams at 937-432-2777.

We live in a connected world. From laptops to smart phones and tablets, the internet and social media are a swipe or a click away. Just as you teach your children to beware of strangers, it's important to protect them from online dangers. Click here to learn more about cyber safety.

Parents/caregivers can find information about teens and drug abuse prevention through these resources:

• DARE.com

• theantidrug.com

• drugfree.org

• abovetheinfluence.com

• netsmartz.org

Washington Township and the Sheriff's Office are helping residents take a proactive approach to identity theft. Periodic Super Saturday events offer residents the opportunity to dispose of sensitive documents and to learn about identity theft.

Education is the first step toward preventing crime. Officers are available to speak to community, church, or business groups about a variety of topics, such as crime prevention, home security, identity theft, personal safety/self protection, traffic safety, and white collar crime. To learn more about community education opportunities or to schedule a speaker, contact the Community Oriented Policing (COP) officer at 937-432-2771.