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‘Never’ Does Not Exist – Community Support
“We will never have the prosperity we had in the 90’s. The people of Michigan just have to learn to live with less.â€
–Richard Ball, debate with Mike Powers, September 2004
Note: This is the fifth in a series on revitalizing Shiawassee County
Community Support
Over the past few years, the Shiawassee County budget has increased by over $1 million, while our communities have faced severe budget cuts to our police and public schools. The role of the county government is to lift up her people and her communities; not to hold them down, or to stand idle and watch as they flounder. By channeling previously wasted tax dollars into other programs, Shiawassee County can help her communities realize their potential.
Community Safety
Crime prevention is a wise investment. There are several programs that Shiawassee County can employ in order to prevent crime, reduce the fear of crime, and improve the quality of life in our neighborhoods.
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Safety grants – communities that are at risk of cutting patrol officers due to a budget crisis can apply to the county for financial assistance. Two years ago the city of Corunna cut two patrol officers, for lack of $25,000. Under this program, a community that demonstrates a legitimate financial need would qualify for financial assistance from the county.
Crime Prevention Foundation – Funded by private donations and public grants, a county wide crime prevention foundation can perform the services necessary to reduce crime, while relieving the county of the administrative and financial burdens of a new agency. The purposes of the foundation would include educating the public and the local governments on how to reduce crime in our neighborhoods.
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Community Policing – this method of policing encourages relationships between the police, the citizens, and the local governments. This helps the police gain an intimate knowledge of the communities they serve, and encourages citizens and local governments. Effective community policing builds trust between the residents and the police, which fosters an environment in which people turn to the police for assistance before a conflict turns violent.11
Parents & Kids Internet Safety – Kids are growing up online while parents are often ill equipped to protect their children from internet predators. An initiative to bring internet safety to the home will encourage IT literacy and help bridge the technology gap between parents and their children.
Senior Safety – As of the 2000 census, 12% of Shiawassee citizens are over the age of 65.12 More than any other residents, seniors are vulnerable and increasingly targeted for certain types of crimes. To fully service the community, crime prevention must include educational programs with emphasis on telemarketing fraud, identity theft, and violent crime.
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Next Time: Community Support — Social Capital
11. http://www.communitypolicing.org/about2.html
12. http://www.answers.com/topic/shiawassee-county-michigan
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