The Moniteau County Neighborhood Crime Watch organization met to discuss various crime and safety topics. Paul Fennewald, retired Missouri Homeland Security Director, gave a presentation about how security planning has grown to be a necessity.
Fennewald is involved with a state-wide school security/safety program, working to help school administrators have a written safety plan they can follow in case of emergency situations. Only a few counties have an emergency management director who actually works with the schools on this type of planning. Some of Missouri's 520 public schools already have plans, but even those typically need to increase and periodically review their level of planning.
The recent situation which closed schools one morning in one city in the State of California affected a half million students - way more than anywhere around here-but it brings to light about how this unforeseen issue affected families and created great worries.
An actual "practice run" of a security plan with everyone at the school is important even though this is often difficult to do, especially with larger schools, but even for California or Tipton. The school must also reach out to the parents and the community so everyone is aware of what to do in a real situation. Major parts of this are as simple as, 1) where to meet, 2) what to do, and 3) what to not do.
Updates on law enforcement activities in the various areas were given. Crime Watch members were challenged to use the "sense of community" and expand the nearby neighborhood network so everyone can look out for each other. Fennewald proposed each person bring someone new to the next meeting so more people are aware of the group's outreach and educational efforts on the various topics. Everyone in the community is welcome to attend all of the meetings.
The next meeting of Moniteau County Neighborhood Crime Watch will be at the Jamestown Community Building, Monday, Feb. 1, at 6:30 p.m.