Working
with neighborhood volunteers, residents, school officials, and merchants to
address the problems that concern them in their respective neighborhood.
The NRO program was
initially launched in disadvantaged neighborhoods and has expanded to
maintain a presence citywide.
The goals for the NRO
program is to work with neighborhood volunteers, residents, school
officials, and merchants to address the problems that concern them in their
respective neighborhood.
Evaluations
of the NRO program by Dr. Quint Thurman of Washington State University in
1992 and again in 1993 suggest the NROs have made important strides
in stabilizing crime in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. In
addition, the data he collected shows high levels of satisfaction among
school personnel, citizens, and parents with the NRO job performance. As a
result, the NRO program has been extended to other geographic areas of
Spokane.
NROs help residents
identify and solve problems that affect the viability of their
neighborhoods. NROs are based in each C.O.P.S. Substation and use that
base to expand out into the community to help citizens solve their own
problems. NROs interact regularly with C.O.P.S. Substations in their
area of responsibility, providing direction and presence when necessary.
NROs provide a positive police presence.
NROs provide a unique problem-solving
focus to long standing concerns and treat the underlying problem rather than
the symptoms. As a result, NROs are involved with all facets of their
neighborhoods; whether schools, businesses, churches, neighborhood
groups, or city and state agencies. NROs either directly or indirectly
respond to each complaint form written in the Substations.
NROs do not get involved in C.O.P.S.
volunteer disputes, unless there is suspected illegal activity or is
requested by the Spokane C.O.P.S. Board. However, the NROs should
assist in facilitating In-Service Volunteer meetings to keep volunteers
up-to-date on changes within the Spokane Police Department or to address
specific concerns of the community.
Your Neighborhood Resource
Officers are listed below showing the C.O.P.S. Substation that is their base
of operations. You can contact your NRO by going by the Substation or
calling to making a request for an appointment.
