Stevensville Police Chief James Marble is accepting applications from Town residents who may wish to participate in the town’s new Stevensville Crime Watch program and become a Zone Captain. The program is a homegrown version of the well-known Neighborhood Crime Watch program and was formed to bring together law enforcement, community members and local entities to help reduce crime.
According to Marble, the town is being split into zones and a captain will be appointed in each zone who is responsible for making contact with their neighbors in that specific zone and, if the neighbors so choose, they can sign up with name and phone number to participate in the program.
“Really what we are looking for is essentially an open line of communication between the zone captains and the police department so when people see suspicious activity or have some complaints that aren’t emergencies, such as city code violations of some sort, they can contact the zone captains and they can take it to us for some sort of mitigation,” said Marble. “Basically, it’s an information hub for keeping track of things in zones and trying to keep ahead of any problems.”
Marble said the information exchange was a two-way street. He said it also allows the police department to get word out in a neighborhood about suspicious activity that comes up on their radar.
The position of Zone Captain involves no real enforcement duties such as a Reserve Deputy may have and it doesn’t replace 911 for emergency calls. Marble said if there is a crime actually taking place people need to call the police department.
“The zone captain job is just a better way to have better communication with the public and it gives us the ability to reach a large number of people through one contact, increasing our efficiency,” said Marble.
A couple of applications have already been received, according to Marble, but more are needed for full coverage in all zones. He said there may be co-captains as well to enable some flexibility in the captains’ schedules for coverage when someone is away.
The Police Department in Stevensville currently has three full-time officers, including Chief James Marble, Officer John Ellington, who has five years of experience and Officer Jacob Guida who just returned from the Academy and is undergoing field training under the supervision of Officer Ellington.
Marble said that while some people are calling for disbanding police departments in some parts of the nation, the Stevensville Police Department is enjoying a lot of support.
“It’s nice to see the community as a whole and the businesses supporting law enforcement,” said Marble. “It’s a community and we are all in this together. It is very important to me and really appreciated that we have people around here who will step up and help to increase our efficiency and effectiveness without burdening the taxpayer.”
He said a couple of the latest donations included a $10,000 gift specifically for the police department from Rick Harrison. Marble said the money would be used to purchase equipment and upgrade old equipment that needs it.
Another recent donation came from local resident and business owner Darren Newsom, of ACI, who donated a few Rock Island Armory 1911 pistols. The 10mm pistols will be used as service weapons by the department.
Dan R Loeffler says
So now J Marble is looking for snitches! What do we teach our kids about snitching? This is a horrible idea that will further divide our community by turning neighbor against neighbor. Settling old scores, vendettas, etc will become common. Simply look at the petty feuds and dysfunction in the Town Hall. Do we want that on the streets also, as J Marble would like?
This is a horrible idea!
Remember what types of personalities generally seek these positions of power: Sam Fawcett, on trial for 2 counts of incest; I.S. Jessop, recently arrested for second DUI and follow up contempt of court. Both are former Stevi police members hired and supervised by J Marble. When does Stevi come to the sad conclusion that J Marble is a disastrous judge of character and decision maker? J Marble should be removed, the department reorganized, and heavily over-sighted by a Stevi Council Committee consisting of community members from as many demographics as possible. Policing as we know it does not work, and its clear we need a new direction.
Defund the police and put the resources to better use. Any social service is a better investment than police. Do not ask neighbors to feel empowered to practice vigilante justice, retaliation, or other personal visions law. Do not give any citizen an ‘elevated’ status of judicial practitioner. Do not play popularity over our personal freedoms, Do not give my neighbor a “Zone Captain” superiority complex. Definitely do not give police weapons (D Newsome clearly wants his own police force); in fact, take them away. Do not give police any more leverage – they abuse it. Do not be afraid to speak your mind and let the police know we have had enough. Do not let J Marble continue as police chief.
This is the wrong direction. This is a horrible idea!
Jim Crews says
All of these donation must be accepted by resolution of the council and be counted as income to the town. When will these come before Council.
Jack Piippo says
Very good idea. I am personally handicapped (stroke 10 years) ago but I am also a ham operator. If you need my services, consider my willingness to assist in any way. We support the law enforcement community wholeheartedly. Thank you. Jack and Donna Piippo. 284 Willow Way. Creekside subdivision. 406-49-0360 (Cell).