Frankenmuth

See Something. Say Something. ….what it really means By Lydia Walker, Director of Operations & Service, Frankenmuth Chamber & CVB The Power of Partnership: Keeping our community safe is a shared responsibility. Public safety is not the sole responsibility of law enforcement, it requires active collaboration between residents, businesses, and the police. When we stay alert and speak up, we help protect the places we live, work, and visit. Understanding Crime Prevention: For a crime to occur, there are typically three components: a will- ing offender, a target-rich environment, and an opportunity. While you may not be able to control a willing offender, you can bridge the gap between awareness and prevention by trusting your intuition. You are con- sidered an expert of your space (i.e. Business, Home, Neighborhood), if something feels off, it probably is. When to "Say Something": Saying Something does not mean calling your neighbor or friend, or pulling out your phone to ask a question on a community page. 'Saying something' means calling 911 and expressing your concerns to the operator. Police officers generally cannot be the complainants of a crime; they need a "victim" or a community member to step forward to initiate action by calling 911. By properly reporting any- one or anything that feels out of place, an officer is able to offer a reasonable assessment of the situation. Post-Incident Actions: If a crime does occur, Saying Something also involves proper documentation: Preserve the Scene: Treat the area as a crime scene by not touching anything, lock all doors, and ask witnesses to stay until police arrive. Document Immediately: Write down the details of what you remember while memories are fresh. Avoid Contamination: To keep reports accurate, witnesses should not compare details with one another before speaking to the police. When we work together, we help keep Frankenmuth a safe place! 17

• Cover