TAMPA, Fla.— Tampa Police has stressed at recent community meetings that residents play a key role in the prevention of crime.
Neighborhood watch groups are one element of the current citizen-police partnership— one of which held its latest meeting last night.
What You Need To Know
- Neighborhood watch groups play a key role to aid in the reduction of crime
- The Ybor Heights Neighborhood Association and Watch Group makes up one of the 39 major groups in the Tampa area
- Tampa Police stresses that they are always on the lookout for more groups
The Ybor Heights Neighborhood Association and Watch Group was formed during the pandemic and has expanded their focus to include economic development.
President Mimi Martinez says they let Tampa Police Department know about its safety concerns.
“I think that there's this preconceived notion that we're vigilantes and that we're walking our neighborhood and that we're ratting people out. Not at all,” Martinez said. “It's about safety. It's about community connection.”
Tampa Police says there are 39 major neighborhood watch groups citywide and they are always on the lookout for more.