Falcon has experienced substantial growth in recent years (confirmed in the monthly column by The New Falcon Herald ó ìBuilding and real estate update.î New homes and businesses are not the only aspects of growth: pesky solicitors and crime are also on the rise. As a result, one Falcon woman has organized a formal neighborhood watch program. ìBetween July 27 and Sept. 27, there were a number of reported incidents in this area ó some were pretty significant, while others were minor,î said Doreen Bronner, chairwoman of the new Falcon Community Watch Program. Bronner, a retired U.S. Air Force veteran, has lived in the area since 2003. Although she is happy living in the community, the increase in crime and solicitors has prompted her to do something to ensure that Falcon remains a great place to live. To connect with the community, Bronner said she joined a few of the local neighborhood watch pages on Facebook, but felt that the community needed more. So, she created the Falcon Community Watch Program, with a goal to exemplify the definition of a community watch. Bronner said the program is a ìdistinct intent to unite the Falcon subdivisions, deter and help control crime through awareness and education and work in conjunction with the El Paso County Sheriffís Department.î This program differentiates from other watch programs in place, she said.Falcon Community Watch is registered with the National Neighborhood Watch, which is recognized through the National Sheriffís Association. Falcon Community Watch is endorsed by each metropolitan district and local businesses, and sanctioned by the El Paso County Board of County Commissioners.The Falcon watch program is comprised of volunteer coordinators specific to each subdivision, along with designated block captains for individual neighborhoods within the subdivision. The coordinators and block captains have received training in accordance with Neighborhood Watch guidelines.When a situation occurs, the block captain is notified and he or she disseminates the information to the appropriate channels. ìOur resources are limited in terms of having just one sheriff assigned to the Falcon area,î Bronner said. Having a system in place where residents and community members can report things to their designated block caption helps facilitate action that needs to be taken. Watch programs are one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the country, according to the National Crime Prevention Council. Its roots can be traced back to colonial settlements. Sponsored by the National Sheriffís Association, the watch programs work because they reduce opportunities for crimes to occur.In a statement by a representative for the El Paso County Sheriffís Office, ìThe crime prevention coordinator, along with the EPSO Community Impact Section believe that Neighborhood Watch groups are an effective tool in helping to make a community more crime resistant, and foster relationships within the neighborhood.î The EPSO website includes a statement that statistics indicate communities with active Neighborhood Watch programs show a marked decrease in burglaries and related crimes. Dana Reichers, Falcon resident and Fortress real estate agent, said he believes community watch programs are an asset to the community, and he applauds the volunteers. Reichers has lived and worked in the Falcon area for almost five years, and has observed the rapid development. ìFalcon is growing exponentially, with its new homes and shops; people want to live here because it offers that small-town appeal; yet, you are just a short distance to everything you would want,î Reichers said. When asked if he thinks crime has increased, he said, ìThere does seem to be a slight correlation; however, that is bound to happen with any area when there is such an increase in the population.î He also said with social media highlighting everything that happens, things can appear worse than the reality of situations. Bronner said she intends to build the Falcon Community Watch Program and stay involved in the community through social media. It is important to stay on top of things, even in the best of communities, she said. ìNo matter who we are or where we have come from, we are all united by one common goal ó keeping our homes and our families safe.î
