63 lines
3.2 KiB
Plaintext
63 lines
3.2 KiB
Plaintext
July 1990
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FOCUS ON CRIME PREVENTION:
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BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT WORKING TOGETHER
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A joint crime prevention program has been initiated between
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the Creve Coeur, Missouri, Police Department and the corporate
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security department of Monsanto, Inc., which has its world
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headquarters in Creve Coeur. This new concept may lead to
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changes nationwide in the field of crime prevention in the years
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to come.
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This program is geared to make homes and the workplace
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safer. It was established to promote crime prevention techniques
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and citizen awareness by sponsoring business watch, personal
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safety programs, Operation ID, and shoplifting and bicycle safety
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programs. Initially, Monsanto donated money for the development
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of a crime prevention logo bearing the words ``Business and
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Government Working Together.'' Then, the corporation became
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involved in crime prevention projects by providing personnel from
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the corporate security department to work with police officers.
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Twenty-two thousand area residents and Monsanto employees were
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initially targeted by this joint program.
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As part of the program, Monsanto security officers are
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available to make home burglary prevention checks for the nearly
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6,000 local Monsanto employees. These security officers, who
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receive special training from police officers, visit homes of
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Monsanto employees to point out security weaknesses and to
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offer suggestions to improve them. Creve Coeur police officers
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conduct similar security checks for residents of the city. Both
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police and security officers involved in this joint program are
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selected by their respective agencies. All candidates must
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undergo extensive evaluation in public speaking, writing skills,
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appearance and education.
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An informational crime prevention booth is also operated
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during the city's annual Creve Coeur Days celebration held each
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May. This booth is staffed by police officers and Monsanto
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security officers. At the booth, parents and their children have
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an opportunity to see crime prevention displays, obtain handouts
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and make arrangements for programs in their neighborhoods and
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businesses. Monsanto also makes their world headquarters
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facilities available for large groups interested in crime
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prevention.
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``So much of police work is reacting to crimes already
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committed,'' said a Creve Coeur officer. ``This joint effort is
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an exciting opportunity to fight crime before it occurs.'' If
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results during the early stages of the program are any
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indication, the difference is not only being felt in this
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community but has also given new meaning to the phrase,
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``Business and Government Working Together.''
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____________
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Information for this column was provided by Capt. Frank D.
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Harris, Commander of Administrative and Support Services, Creve
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Coeur, Missouri, Police Department.
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