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Related Info & Pages
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hiladelphia's Operation Town Watch has been called by some police
officers the ultimate force multiplier! Town Watch is more than
just a fancy community group, they are an integral component in
the overall policing strategy in Philadelphia. Contact your district's
community relations officer and join today!
A Message to All Philadelphians
Citizens often ask, "How can I help the Police?" Our answer is
to actively participate in Our Town Watch Program. By doing so,
you can help us prevent crime and apprehend criminals.
Like the town watchman of colonial Philadelphia, each citizen
must take an active interest in protecting their neighbors and
be willing to give their time and effort to this volunteer activity.
We call on you to join the Police Department's Town Watch and
help us to keep Philadelphia, the safest City in the Nation.
A Brief History of Town Watch
History books portray the colonization of Philadelphia by the
Society of Friends as one of peaceful adjustment with the Indians
and the early Swedish settlers.
William Penn, the founder of the city, liked to refer to it as
his "green Country Town." He selected the name Philadelphia
from the Bible because it meant "Brotherly Love." It
was his intention that Philadelphia would be a model for the whole
world, free from crime, delinquency and disorder.
But Penn's dream didn't last and the influx of settlers brought
many problems.
Philadelphia streets were dangerous after nightfall. Each citizen
was responsible for his own safety. Dark alleys cloaked waiting
thugs, ready to pounce on an unsuspecting passerby. Colonial Philadelphia
was unguarded at night. The harassed citizens went to the city
fathers and demanded protection. As a result, on July 1, 1700,
the Council of Philadelphia established a night watch. In the
minutes of the meeting, the "Safe Streets" bill was
recorded as follows:
"It was unanimouslie agreed and assented by
ye Gov'r and Council
that ________ be appointed, and is hereby authorized and
empowered to go round ye town with a small bell in ye night time,
to give notice of ye time of night and the weather, and if anie
disorders or danger happen by fire or otherwise in the night time
to
acquaint the constables thereof."
An old history book portrays this original watchman of the town
with a clanging bell that served as a timely warning to any marauders
with evil designs. He needed courage to back up his bell when
trying to control roving bands of cutthroats.
In 1705, the Common Council divided Philadelphia into ten areas.
Each of these ten divisions supplied a man to be a watchman each
night. Then a reputable citizen was selected by the Council and
designated to act as constable and be in charge of the night watch.
The first elementary step in crime prevention and regulation of
the police in Philadelphia was taken in 1751. The General Assembly
passed an act for "enlightening of the streets, lanes and
alleys in the night time." The act also stressed the importance
of the watch in the prevention of murders, burglaries, robberies,
fires and disorders.
Under the act, wardens were appointed and empowered to contract
with persons or firms for the street lighting and to appoint,
hire and employ the number of watchmen deemed necessary. A warden
could also remove a watchman for dereliction of duty.
This was the first regularly paid police force in Philadelphia.
Thus, for over fifty years, Philadelphia had been protected
by unpaid,
volunteer citizens. Their cries of "all's well" or
the raucous rattles they sounded
when they needed assistance or when pursuing malefactors, were
the
forerunners of the modern police communications radio system.
The Philadelphia police force exhibits great pride in its record.
For statistics show that Philadelphia has one of the lowest crime
rates of the ten major American cities. Its crime clearance rate
is above national average. Yet no police officer would ever claim
that he can be successful without the active assistance of the
good citizen.
The prevention of crime and the apprehension of criminals in a
metropolitan city is an exhausting and, at times, frustrating
job. It's impossible for police, regardless of how mobile, trained
and dedicated they are, to be at all places or to see what is
occurring at all times. Law enforcement needs additional assistance.
Today, the Philadelphia Police Department has called for a revival
of the colonial town watch. Of course, it can't be duplicated
to the letter. But the concept that each citizen should be expected
to watch the streets, homes, and businesses of his neighbor on
a volunteer basis is still the heart of the program.
For police are convinced that many citizens see or hear suspicious
actions and sounds and do nothing.
Many people say they would feel foolish if it turns out the stranger
is really a gas meter reader.
The Philadelphia Town Watch program quickly overcomes these hesitations
and objections. The wallet-size membership card states: "It
is preferable to identify yourself when reporting to police. However,
your call will be accepted if you wish to remain
anonymous." You don't have to give your name.
The Philadelphia Police Department has adopted the figure of
a colonial watchman, complete with staff, light and ratchet as
its symbol of Operation Town Watch. On all the literature, the
police phone number, 911 is highlighted in large, bold type. The
phone number is the key to the program. For the phone has replaced
both the voice and the ratchet in summoning immediate help.
Whenever an opportunity arises, the Philadelphia Police Department
asks its citizens, both young and old, to enlist in Operation
Town Watch. A window sticker, and a wallet-size membership card
are given to the new member. These are cherished and proudly displayed.
| Information
listed here is believed to be current at the time of publication.
However, some of the material presented here may have expired
since it was posted. Persons should contact a Philadelphia Police
representative whenever relying on dated material or information
that is subject to change. |
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