CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — N.O.W.
It's an acronym that stands for Neighborhood on Watch, an initiative dedicated to making our neighborhoods safer. The program has been in our city for many years and has been practiced in all fifty states since its inception in 1972.
Melissa Castro with the Corpus Christi Police Department says the program embraces community policing and communication between residents and the authorities,
She says the program is essential to improving community safety has been very effective.
"There's some very good Neighborhoods on Watch," said Castro. "There's even times when instances happen in their neighborhoods, and they solve a crime."
She says it's that effectiveness that makes the program essential to improving community safety.
"Basically, I mean, they're so in-tune with their neighborhood, and the communication is- just helps. They send videos... they get together."
Some N.O.W programs were lost during the COVID era, and the department is now looking to promote the community safety initiative by hosting a slate of meetings across different neighborhoods so residents can start their own groups.
"Neighbors, you are the boots on the ground to our agency," said Castro. "Don't be afraid to call in. The best people to have on NOW programs are stay-at-home moms and the retired. Because they see everything."
Meetings are being held in the Bravo, Charlie and Delta regions, which span the Flour Bluff and Padre Island areas, the city's Southside, and the North Beach region.
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