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Citizen’s Patrol Unit Strong and Growing within Burlington Road Neighborhood Association
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July 28, 2010, at 06:00 AM
BRNA
Pulaski Park woes catch attention
Virgil Patlan was a police officer for 25 years. Even still, the president of the Burlington Road Neighborhood Association had to go through a class just like the other neighborhood volunteers to become a citizens patrol officer.
Now, Patlan said, about 10 community members have stepped up to the task, creating BRNA’s first Citizen’s Patrol Unit. They patrol neighborhood streets on their own time to watch for suspicious activity and keep the neighborhood safe.
“I thought it was important to do some of the work the police couldn’t do,” Patlan said. “They can’t be everywhere all the time.”
When two basketball hoops were stolen from Pulaski Park in June, just a month after the patrol unit started, it gave patrollers added incentive to keep an eye on the area. The neighborhood association offered a $200 reward for information about the theft of the hoops, valued at around $140 each. The Parks Department replaced the hoops last Thursday; by Sunday they were gone again.
“We think it’s vigilantes,” Patlan said, citizens who didn’t like the hoops there in the first place. Some neighbors around the park have complained about noise and mischief, he said.
A meeting has been requested between police and parks officials to determine how to handle the situation.
Meanwhile, the Citizen’s Patrol Unit continues to grow. While more volunteers complete the patrol unit class, businesses have come forward with donations to see that the group's presence in the community is known. The new unit has used the donated funds to purchase citizen’s patrol shirts, hats and vehicle magnets.
“I thought it was really unique that the businesses took part,” said Rebecca Patlan, Virgil’s wife and founder of the BRNA. “Our businesses in the area have been absolutely supportive.”
Those that donated include Nebraska Beef, Conreco, Inc., Pedersen Power Products, Design 4, Darling International, GRH Electronics, Omni, One World Health Clinic, Team Sales Farm Supply and W. Morehouse Trucklines.
“We’re grateful for their help,” Virgil Patlan said. “It’s just a great partnership.”
