NEWBURGH – The Police Community Relations Advisory Board, representatives of the police department and Colonial Terrace residents recently conducted the city’s first safety audit of their neighborhood.  The Safety Audit program allows residents to review the physical environment of a neighborhood in ways that would help reduce opportunities for crime by identifying crime spots and neighborhood nuisances; addressing crime-related safety concerns by making recommendations to appropriate authorities and property owners, which help to reduce the opportunity for crime, and enable the community to monitor and implement recommendations made through the audit process.

Colonial Terrace residents knocked on doors and discussed the safety of their neighborhood with residents from different areas within the Terraces.  Three action items emerged from this process, including an increased police presence based on their neighborhood’s needs.   The neighbors will also review crime data that is collected by the police department to appropriately deploy officers to the neighborhood when they are needed most.  Street lighting and traffic control were also areas of concern with the neighbors. 

“I feel bad calling the police because I know they are so busy in other neighborhoods,” one neighbor commented.  Sergeant Paul Weber replied, “Every resident should feel comfortable calling the police department if they have a concern in their neighborhood.  There is not an officer on every corner, so we have to count on the community to be our eyes and ears and call when they need assistance.”

“Everyone deserves to feel safe and secure in their neighborhood,” said Lauren Accomando, a member of the advisory board and Colonial Terrace resident, “this process allows the community to take stock with city officials and the police department and identify areas where we can all pitch in to make our neighborhoods a better place to live.”