Volunteers needed for Graffiti Patrol

Woodstock citizens, are you ready to put a stop to graffiti and vandalism in Woodstock?

Do you know the extent of vandalism in Woodstock? Since April 2008, vandalism over 33 months has averaged over $7,400! In two of the months, vandalism was over $25,000 each month!

Citizens are invited to get involved. The next Coffee with the Chief is scheduled for Monday, May 8th, at 7:00PM at the Woodstock Police Department.

You don't have to just sit there and "be good". If you have a complaint or an on-going problem in your neighborhood, attend the meeting and air that complaint. Tell the chief that you don't want to listen to a prepared program; tell him that you want him to listen to you. Ask specifically what will be done to address your neighborhood's problems. Ask what, exactly, you can do to aid the police department in solving the problem.

Don't want the police car to roll up in front of your house or for the officer to come in for information? You can contact the beat officers and their supervisors by phone or by e-mail. For Beat 22, for example, address your email to pbo22@woodstockil.gov; if you have a concern about another beat, just change the beat number in the email address. Your email will be distributed to all the beat officers on the "beat".

Don't know your Beat Number? Check the Woodstock City Scene or just call the P.D. at 815-338-2131.

How can you help?

1. Grab a buddy, a couple of cell phones, and ride around Woodstock at night. If you see anything suspicious, dial 815-338-2131 immediately and report what you see. (Be aware that you might get stopped, if you are riding slowly through neighborhoods. Be prepared to ID yourself and explain what you are doing.) You might send an email to the beat officers to describe your car and inform them what you will be doing.

2. Volunteer for a graffiti clean-up detail. Several years ago students from Woodstock High School turned out to paint out graffiti on a small commercial building. This could be organized by a service group, a church (or churches), or even by the City. Names, phone numbers and email addresses are needed by the leadership, so that fast contact can be made. Crime Stoppers would be a logical organizer, because they might be able to collect donations of paint, brushes, ladders (and food for volunteers).

Let's band together and put a stop to this criminal activity right now. Tell the taggers to cut it out or get out of town. If they continue, be in court when they are prosecuted and ask the judge to sentence them to 180-270 days in jail.