Neighborhood
Crime Watch area established
by Shana
Hhaines
Landmark reporter
Platte City Police Department has officially
declared Bello Mondo Apartment Complex a part of the
Neighborhood Crime Area Watch Program.
PCPD and the Bello Mondo Apartment Complex
have begun efforts to prevent crime in the area by establishing
the Neighborhood Crime Area Watch Program. The program
is designed to ensure that residents call the police
when suspicious activity is spotted.
Five signs stating the watch program will be erected
in the area. The signs were purchased with SEMA grant
monies.
PCPD Chief Joe McHale says more signs
will be posted in town at a later date.
Platte City Mayor Dave Brooks says he
knows crime watch programs work, and has been lobbying
for Platte City to incorporate them.
"When I was alderman, I started talking
to the board about block watch programs. The block watch
program has been proven over the years to work,"
Brooks said. "This is the one thing we need to
get done as we grow."
Melody Doescher, Bello Mondo apartment
manager, said management has been in the process of
improving the complex.
"We are very excited. We are going
to clean Bello Mondo up," Doescher said.
Hanan Hammer, who represented the owners
of Bello Mondo, also gave support to the program.
"I think this is going to be terrific
for the apartment complex. It will improve the overall
quality of life for occupants," Hammer said.
PCPD officer Christopher Diemer has been
assigned as the liaison between the complex and PCPD.
Diemer will be responsible for all follow-up investigations.
