The Marietta Police Department evaluated the existing Neighborhood Watch program and discovered it was an ineffective tool to prevent crime in our communities. After networking with other metro-Atlanta law enforcement agencies, we developed a program unique in the state of Georgia and proven in Gwinnett and Forsyth counties to be effective crime prevention program. This program is called the Community Outreach Police Services (COPS) area program.

Overview

The goal of the COPS area program is to enhance the quality of community life in the city of Marietta by establishing an active partnership between residents and police.

Active involvement by citizens in watching, caring for and protecting their neighborhoods deters and reduces crime, which increases the safety of the lives and property of residents.

The COPS area program is a crime prevention program that:

• Teaches citizens techniques to reduce the risk of being victimized at home and in public
• Trains citizens on the importance of recognizing suspicious activities and how to report them
• Allows neighbors to get to know one another and their routines so any out-of-place activity can be reported and investigated
• Creates cohesive bodies of concerned citizens to address issues that are important to the entire community

The COPS area program is not:

• A vigilante force
• A program designed for participants to take personal risks to prevent or intervene in crime
• A program open to only members of homeowner's associations
• A 100% guarantee that crime will not occur in your neighborhood

Requirements

The COPS area program has strict requirements that must be adhered to in order for the program to be effective. The following requirements, ideally, should be met within 1 year:

• Introductory meeting: 75 percent of all homes must be represented
• Liaison/block captain meeting
• Lock and alarm: principals of home security
• Personal safety: how not to be a victim
• Master community awards ceremony

If you live in Marietta city limits and are interested in starting a COPS area program in your neighborhood, contact the Marietta Police Department at 770-794-5356.