What you missed at our meeting!

Date of Meeting: September 28, 2009

This meeting was basically an introduction the Program. We introduced the people
starting/heading up the program. We had a sign in sheet for everyone to sign when they walked
in and also an interest sheet to sign if you were interested in more information about being a
captain, member or a safe house. If you did not attend the meeting, but are still interested in
any of these, please send your name, address, phone number, email, and what you’re
interested in to stegerwatch@hotmail.com .

Christie Ebert & Crystal Wilson Co-Coordinators

Both coordinators introduced themselves and told a little about themselves. Both are stay-at-
home moms with 2 children. The responsibilities of the coordinators are as follows:

• Get pertinent information out in a timely matter to Neighborhood/Zone captains so they

can start calling members on the next part of the phone tree. This way with everyone
making only a few phone calls, all watch members will be notified when something
happens that they should be aware of.

• Work with the Police Dept., Public Works, and whomever else they need to contact to
help resolve problems left in anonymous tip boxes at meetings.

• Create and distribute flyers and important information to get the word out about
Neighbor Watch meetings/events.

• Contact and arrange for special guests to show up at meetings to keep the meetings
interesting and informative.

Both coordinators spoke of the Neighborhood Watch program and how it works. There will be a
phone tree that will be used when something happens in the community that needs to get out as
quick as possible.

Tree System:

Coordinators-Neighborhood/Zone captains-Street Captains-Block Captains-Members

Detective Pete Fajman- He spoke about the previous watch programs that Steger has had. He
also spoke about the responsibilities of captains and how the police dept. (himself especially)
will be working with the residents and holding discussions of crime that is happening at the time.

Sergeant Jerry Ruff- was a special guest speaker for the D.A.R.E. program that he runs and
also for safety for kids. He will also be with us for next month to speak about Halloween safety
and we urge you to bring kids to the next meeting. We are trying to get Halloween bags to hand
out at the meeting, but it’s not a guarantee. We do also encourage you to bring your kids so
they can personally learn some Halloween safety.
Police Chief Richard Stultz- the chief spoke of how the Police Dept. is backing the program and
hopes to be able to work with the community to make Steger safer.

The floor was then opened up for questions and comments. One of the big questions was how
were we going to spread the word more about the program. Like it was great that we had flyers
go out thru the schools but seniors and parents with non-school age children wanted to know
how we would be getting information out to them.

We stated that we went door to door, we went to Day cares that we were aware of, we went to
businesses, there was a sign on the Village marquee, there was a sign on the on the VFW
marquee. We posted stuff in different places on the internet.

Another question was how were we going to get the message to kids, how were we going to
teach kids about neighborhood safety. We stated that the next meeting was a kid friendly
meeting and we are will to have a kid’s neighborhood meeting to help parents show their
children about the program.

We are hoping to have refreshments and a little more organization in the following meetings as
we establish captains. We will be ordering decals for members and safe houses as soon as we
have a set number of members. One issue that was brought up numerous times was the
attendance of members and that being the reason previous attempts at a watch program failed.
As much as we would like to be able to get information to members without them ever showing
up at meetings. Unfortunately that is not the case. We need members to continuously show up
for this program to be successful. That is not to say that we will not get info out to members that
are usually in attendance and can’t make it sometimes. We understand obligations, but do
encourage everyone to try to make it to most meetings.

Yes we want crime to go down, but we want it to stay down, so active and continued
involvement in the program is crucial. Once things have gotten better people need to not be lax
on involvement or we will be right back to the same ole same ole again.