Tramanto Neighborhood Watch

Tramanto citizens, in conjunction with Phoenix police, are launching a new crime prevention effort to include volunteer patrols and Neighborhood Watch signs.

Christian Wittenberg recalls his neighbor going outside carrying a baseball bat to investigate a “would be car thief” and getting shot in the foot. It’s a rare occurrence in Tramanto and one that the PNP (Phoenix Neighborhood Patrol) would like to prevent.

With grant funds of $4700 the PNP is installing 50 Neighborhood Watch signs 24”x18” that read “Warning: This area protected by neighborhood watch and Operation ID. To report suspicious activity call Crime Stop at 602-262-6151. Take a bite out of crime. A picture of McGruff, the “crime fighting dog” completes the sign. Reports indicate these signs are effective in warning criminals they will be watched and are likely to avoid the area. The grant funds also pay for patrol mileage, uniforms, cell phones, flashlights, and office supplies.

Seven volunteers have gone through a full day of training with the Phoenix Police department. The all day Saturday class educates recruits about what they can and can not do as civilians on patrol. Subjects like graffiti, recognizing suspicious activity and patrol guidelines are discussed. Recruits must be over 18-years of age and pass a background check and have no felony arrests on record. There is no pay, just a willingness to protect the community.

“I learned a lot of things in the class. Like you can not grab someone and detain them against their will,” says Wittenberg. “We just have to call the police to apprehend the suspects. We don’t carry guns as part of our agreement with the Phoenix police department. The training teaches our patrol how to safely handle a situation until the police arrive. Basically, we are there to observe and report to the police.”

Wittenberg is retired and the only full time PNP worker. All of the other volunteers work full time jobs and do their patrols on weekends and evenings. “Right now we get two patrols a month,” Wittenberg says. “I wish we had more volunteers. We would like to get more frequent patrols.”

“One way citizens can help the PNP is to keep cars off the street overnight,” Wittenberg says. “Any car on the street overnight is suspicious. Also emergency vehicles can not get through if cars are parked on the streets.”

Tramanto is one of the safest communities in Phoenix with very low crime statistics. Wittenberg and his PNP force intend to keep it that way.