October is National Crime Prevention Month

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Michelle Armour
  • 66th Security Forces Squadron
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  In 1984, the National Crime Prevention Council designated October Crime Prevention Month. Every year since then, October has become the official month to recognize crime prevention by promoting awareness of important issues such as victimization, volunteerism and the creation of safer, more caring communities.

The month-long effort spotlights successful crime prevention efforts at the local, state and national levels. At Hanscom, crime prevention is a key pillar of the 66th Security Forces Squadron law enforcement efforts to ensure a safe community.

"The vision of the Air Force Crime Prevention Program is to pursue causes of crime and to reduce opportunity and desire for criminals to succeed," said Master Sgt. Robert Cawley from the 66 SFS Installation Security Section.

Although Hanscom AFB has historically low crime rates, offenses still take place on base. Since last October, there have been 26 crimes to people and 30 property crimes, to include theft of property, damage to property, domestic violence, domestic disturbance and drug- and alcohol-related offenses.

The goal of the crime prevention program at Hanscom is to address the causes of crime, reduce chances for crime to occur and lessen the opportunity and desire for personnel to engage in criminal activity.

The earliest detection of a crime leads to a higher ability for security forces to apprehend the offender and obtain evidence in order to prosecute the offender. To encourage reporting, Operation Crime Stop, a designated phone line to make anonymous reports and tips, was created.

The objective of Operation Crime Stop is to encourage base and community members to report crimes and be able to remain anonymous while doing so. Most individuals fear reporting crimes because they do not want others to know they were the person who reported. The 66th Security Forces Squadron has dedicated one telephone line with a different number specifically for this reason.

Operation Crime Stop helps overcome possible reluctance for a witness to report a crime by allowing them to remain anonymous. Reports can include crimes in progress, school crimes, sale of illegal drugs, domestic violence or threatening acts and bullying.
To report a crime through Operation Crime Stop call 781-225-6920.

While security forces presence is vital in the community to deterring crime, it is everyone's responsibility as members of the community to be the eyes and ears to report suspicious activity and take proper action to prevent crimes against personnel and property on the installation.

For more information on Operation Crime Stop or the crime prevention program, contact Police Services at 781-225-5605 or by email at Hanscom.Police.Services@us.af.mil.