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- July 1990
-
-
- FOCUS ON CRIME PREVENTION:
- BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT WORKING TOGETHER
-
-
- A joint crime prevention program has been initiated between
- the Creve Coeur, Missouri, Police Department and the corporate
- security department of Monsanto, Inc., which has its world
- headquarters in Creve Coeur. This new concept may lead to
- changes nationwide in the field of crime prevention in the years
- to come.
-
- This program is geared to make homes and the workplace
- safer. It was established to promote crime prevention techniques
- and citizen awareness by sponsoring business watch, personal
- safety programs, Operation ID, and shoplifting and bicycle safety
- programs. Initially, Monsanto donated money for the development
- of a crime prevention logo bearing the words ``Business and
- Government Working Together.'' Then, the corporation became
- involved in crime prevention projects by providing personnel from
- the corporate security department to work with police officers.
- Twenty-two thousand area residents and Monsanto employees were
- initially targeted by this joint program.
-
- As part of the program, Monsanto security officers are
- available to make home burglary prevention checks for the nearly
- 6,000 local Monsanto employees. These security officers, who
- receive special training from police officers, visit homes of
- Monsanto employees to point out security weaknesses and to
- offer suggestions to improve them. Creve Coeur police officers
- conduct similar security checks for residents of the city. Both
- police and security officers involved in this joint program are
- selected by their respective agencies. All candidates must
- undergo extensive evaluation in public speaking, writing skills,
- appearance and education.
-
- An informational crime prevention booth is also operated
- during the city's annual Creve Coeur Days celebration held each
- May. This booth is staffed by police officers and Monsanto
- security officers. At the booth, parents and their children have
- an opportunity to see crime prevention displays, obtain handouts
- and make arrangements for programs in their neighborhoods and
- businesses. Monsanto also makes their world headquarters
- facilities available for large groups interested in crime
- prevention.
-
- ``So much of police work is reacting to crimes already
- committed,'' said a Creve Coeur officer. ``This joint effort is
- an exciting opportunity to fight crime before it occurs.'' If
- results during the early stages of the program are any
- indication, the difference is not only being felt in this
- community but has also given new meaning to the phrase,
- ``Business and Government Working Together.''
-
- ____________
-
- Information for this column was provided by Capt. Frank D.
- Harris, Commander of Administrative and Support Services, Creve
- Coeur, Missouri, Police Department.
-