Message From The HP Crime Watch Citizen Chairman People caring about each other is one of the distinguishing characteristics of Highland Park. The small size that our Town occupies, 2.2 square miles, with a population of about 8,850, uniquely positions our citizens to take full advantage of what promises to be a highly effective neighborhood crime watch program. Why is this so? Although these programs exist in many communities throughout the United States, those that achieve exemplary status - creating a community policing environment - do so by harnessing the collective energy of its citizens and law enforcement officers. Together, these combined forces are more powerful by making them more proactive within the community to address matters of concern, as well as improving the relationship between the residents and the law enforcement officers. Taking community policing to the next level is an important goal to Highland Park's Director of Public Safety, Chris Vinson. “A key aspect of our ability to keep the public safe is the participation of the public itself. We engage our citizens in making a safer community. Our officers and employees are encouraged to interact with citizens and share crime prevention and safety information on a proactive basis. We recognize the value of community involvement in preventing crime and accidents to make Highland Park a better place to live and work”, says Chief Vinson. In the discussions I have had with residents of our community about their interest in getting involved in a neighborhood crime watch program, I have been pleasantly surprised by the level of enthusiasm shown. Guaranteed success will require individuals, such as yourself, demonstrating a desire to become proactive by volunteering to serve our community. Through your participation in this Crime Watch Program, our DPS officers can be more proactive within the community to address matters of concern, and together we can keep our neighborhoods safe. Please volunteer today! G. Andrews “Andy” Smith Citizen Chairman
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Do you want to know about crime in your community? Register today on the Highland Park Crime Watch web site at http://hpcrimewatch.org/ and receive instant crime alerts. You can also get helpful crime prevention tips to keep you safe. For more information or comments regarding the HP Crime Watch program contact Detective Nevil at 214-559-9487.G. Andrews ("Andy") Smith and his wife, Patty were married at Highland Park Presbyterian Church and have been married 26 years. Andy and Patty have two daughters. Mandy is a senior at Loyola University in Chicago where she will graduate this May with a sports management degree. Meredith recently graduated from the University of Colorado and is residing in Seattle, Washington. Both of their daughters attended John S. Armstrong Elementary School and graduated from Highland Park High School. In addition to Andy's 9 years of service to the Town of Highland Park from 1998 thru 2008 (Town Council/Mayor Pro-Tem and Board of Adjustments) he has been active in several other community organizations including serving as the Treasurer and Secretary of The Highland Park Community League-Executive Committee, President of Highland Park Independent School District's John S. Armstrong Elementary School Dad's Club, Salesmanship Club of Dallas, Dallas Country Club Board of Governors, and board member of Camp John Marc. Andy graduated from Southern Methodist University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and Juris Doctor. He is an owner/principal of L&B Realty Advisors, an SEC registered investment manager serving the investment needs of domestic pension funds. Andy's passion for pairing-up a community with its law enforcement officers began while he was at SMU. For a semester's project he chose to be assigned to accompany on-duty Dallas police officers as they worked their night shifts in various beats of Dallas; he credits what he learned as a result of that project for giving him valuable insight into the needs of public safety employees as they serve the citizens of their communities. Moreover, his service on Highland Park's Public Safety Committee reinforced the importance of citizens interacting with law enforcement officials in order to prevent crime and to create a better place to live and work.