|
"Wildlife
Crime Watch" is a new program
implemented by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland
Fisheries. The ultimate goal of law enforcement is to stop
criminal activity before it occurs. This program is a proactive
effort to develop a partnership between citizens and the
Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries. It is
patterned after the successful "Neighborhood Watch." Emphasis
will be placed on wildlife and environmental issues but
traditional crime prevention will also be addressed. Efforts
will be made to have as many people in the community involved as
possible, from young to old.
To that
effect, Wildlife Crime Watch has a total county membership of
150 citizens. We are also preparing for the first organizational
meeting of the Fort Valley WCW, where we had 54 people sign up
to attend. In the 2002-2003 hunting season, the Shenandoah county WCW chapters have netted
30 charges on 13 people. Charges range from spotlighting and
killing deer at night, to stealing boats, killing bear
illegally, trespassing, road hunting, obstruction of justice,
and threatening phone calls. The program has done extremely well
so far in Shenandoah County and we have high hopes for the
future, with Fort Valley being our newest operating chapter with
a membership of about 40 people. (more...)
|
