Folsom Police Ask Dog Walkers To Help Take Bite Out Of Crime

FOLSOM (CBS13) - The city of Folsom has a new neighborhood watch program, and it's the first of its kind in Sacramento County. The idea is to train citizens to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity while walking their dogs.

"While we're walking, it makes good sense to watch out for your neighbors," said Dean Handy, who walks his schipperkes Valentino and Ebony every day. "All neighborhood watch programs have the exact same thing to them: If you see something, say something."

Earlier this month, Folsom Police Department had its first training session for the Folsom Neighborhood Dog Walker Watch Program. They're asking local dog owners to be their eyes and ears out on the streets.

"We don't have enough to have an officer on every street corner, so we've got to have people out there in the community; Eyes and ears out there helping," said Sgt. Andrew Bates with Folsom Police Department.

Sgt. Bates said many people don't realize how much officers rely on the public for help.

"Ninety-five percent of police arrests come from citizens calling police," he said.

"You're supposed to see things around you that look important enough to report," Handy said.

It could be anything from a hiker having a heart attack, to a suspicious person checking for unlocked cars. Before leaving the house, Handy said every walker needs to be prepared with plastic bags, a cell phone and a whistle.

"They tell you you should try to change your route every once in a while," he said. "Don't go the same place all the time."

Handy grew up in Folsom and spent 10 years as volunteer firefighter. Now, as neighborhood watch captain, he tells everyone how important it is to know what's going on in their community.

"I think that there are going to be people who are going to get to know their neighbors better by being involved in this," he said.

Right now, the program has about 30 participants. And Handy hopes to see it expand to other cities in the county very soon.

If you'd like to sign up, you can contact Jessica Hess at 916-351-3409 or jhess@folsom.ca.us.