Evolution from a Traffic Complaint by Officer David Longo, CHP My name is Officer David Longo, California Highway Patrol. I'm assigned to the Problem Orientated Policing Unit located at the North Sacramento CHP Office. I have been involved in law enforcement for 18 years, and during this time I've been asked to work a variety of assignments.

I've worked in an officer capacity for the California Department of Corrections, then for the California State Police, and finally for the last 7½ proud years with the CHP. Each job had its worthwhile benefits and satisfactions.

It has always been a very rewarding career, but there was always a small void. It wasn't until last year that I discovered a new found energy and perspective in policing methods.

This is my story:

The California Highway Patrol implemented the Problem Orientated Policing Program in the north Sacramento region in 2001. Our unit is comprised of 12 officers and 2 sergeants. The program was new to the Sacramento area, and our mission and direction were somewhat vague at first. Slowly, we began to organize and implement changes as we progressed further into the program.

Our main mission was to handle traffic complaints, address problem areas, attend community functions, and increase public awareness and service. We sought to take a more active role and seeking a partnership with the community.

One day, my Commander, Captain Don Cox, received a phone call in his office concerning a traffic complaint. After conversing with the reporting party, he passed the complaint on to me to handle.

I'll never forget the day when I pulled up into the driveway of the reporting party. The garage door opened and a man, looking like a figure from the old west cowboy era, came walking out from the garage with a very slow and deliberate gate. He walked towards my patrol car with a skeptical look on his face.

After introductions, he explained the problems he and his community, Merrihill, CA, had experienced for the 26 years since he had been a residence. I assured him that I would be working in his area to help improve the problem. The reporting party looked at me in disbelief as I departed.

In my mind, I thought I would be there for a short time and move on to the next traffic complaint. Little did I know this encounter would forever change my perspective about policing and the Neighborhood Watch program.

I began active enforcement in the Merrihill community. In time, the speeding cars and other vehicle violations began to subside. But I noticed without my active presence the problem continued to persist. I decided to talk to the residents and discovered new allies ... they became my eyes and ears.

By this time, I gained the trust of the original reporting party. I call him the guardian of the neighborhood, his voice a consistant and undeniable supporter of the Problem Orientated Policing Program and my efforts.

In time, I began to discover new techniques to building a safer community, which brought on new ideas and visions.

I heard a lady in the Merrihill Community was willing to start up a Neighborhood Watch, but having no idea what this program was about, I just continued with my efforts. Then the Crime Prevention Specialist who works for the local Sheriff's Department heard of my presence in the community, and requested my attendance at their first meeting.

Around 12 or 15 people were there. I introduced myself and explained I needed help from them to further safeguard their community. During the course of my speech, I joking mentioned something about bringing food to the meetings to "keep your CHP Officer happy."

And, of course, the next meeting there was a plentiful supply of food on hand ...

Slowly, I began to establish new relationships that led into community partners. I began to know the names of faces and the children in the community. I noticed the cars that frequent the area or things that where out of place. Again, I still didn't know what I was developing. The meetings began to grow and the residents began to establish new friendships with one another.

I mentioned once that it would be nice to have a barbeque. The next meeting, National Night Out, the group had a barbeque, with grilling and meats being supplied by the host house.

The neighborhood became a community that night.

Our most recent meeting was an eye opener for me. As I walked from my patrol car to the host house there was already a large contingence of people gathering. The barbecue was going, the smell of sausages where filling the air, and three full tables of food brought in by the community were ready for consumption.

To my surprise, the neighborhood children had decorated the driveway in chalk. My name, Officer Longo, and the words, Neighborhood Watch Meeting, where drawn on the cement. It was very moving for me.

There was even an award thought up by the community and given to a member for her keen observations that had led to the return of a neighbor's stolen boat and the capture of the suspect.

That night, I was really impressed and proud by what the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, block captions, and the entire Merrihill Community had accomplished in such a short time.

In just eight short months, the Neighborhood Watch Program of Merrihill Community has grown to about 80 members and a handful of children (keep in mind, this is a very small community). The next meeting, I'm expecting 80-100 community members in attendance.

I have arranged a list of VIPS to be present to acknowledge their commitment and accomplishments to the Neighborhood Watch program and to myself.

I just recently attended my first official class on Community Orientated Policing. There I realized what I had discovered while working with the Merrihill Community had been written in the text books that had been supplied to the class.

But I also realized there was much more between the lines that has to be learned through active participation and commitment.

Then one can truly understand the philosophy behind Community Orientated Policing.