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Keeping a Watchful Eye on Your Neighborhood Park               

Park watch is an effective crime prevention program for your neighborhood park.  By keeping watch over your local park, you help make it a safe haven for youth and other park users.        

                                                        

Click here to view draft of:  Park Watch Sign

 Click here to view:  Maui Park Watch Brochure

 

Photo Above right: Maka'ala the program mascot on his way to visit children at the Kenolio Complex for the premiere South Maui Children and Youth Day in Kihei.  Please check out the Educational Talks link for more information on Maka'ala!

The main goal of a Park Watch Program is to prevent crime and vandalism through community involvement.  Similar to a Neighborhood Crime Watch Program, the Park Watch asks park users to be the extra eyes and ears for police and enforcement agencies.

Photo left: Concerned neighbors gather for a Kalama Park Action Team (KPAT) January 2007 meeting.  This successful crime-deterring group has been meeting and sceduling citizen patrols in the park since October 2004.   Here they discuss Park Ranger issues with Bob Straub.

 

The mission statement of the Parks Watch Program is to enhance the quality of community life in Maui County Parks through the establishment of an active partnership between park users, Maui County Parks & Recreation Department including the Park Rangers,  and the Maui County Police Department. 

The Park Watch Program is an effort to report and prevent crime and vandalism to playground, park equipment, and park facilities; to report suspicious activities in parks; and to promote public awareness for parks and recreation activities.  

                                                                                                           

 

Photo: KPAT on patrol in Kalama Park, Kihei.  Wearing their distinctive yellow shirts, this group also picks up trash as they walk through the park. KPAT volunteers also note any maintenance or safety issues and keep an eye out for suspicious activities.  A group this size sends a message to all that citizens demand their local park to be safe and enjoyable for all park users.

                    You are the Solution!

A concerned community can deter crime by taking the time to report suspicious activities to police or park officials.  Please watch over your neighborhood park and facilities by keeping your eyes and ears open whenever you are in or near the park. 

Many of our parks have condominiums or other residences nearby that have a park view.  These neighbors are in a unique position to see or hear suspicious activities after hours--if you are one of those neighbors, please be sure to call the police whenever there is a problem in 'your' park!

Whether you choose to become part of a group like KPAT, or simply keep an eye out while you are at the park individually--your eyes and ears are a valuable crime prevention tool! 

Click here to view photo page of Park Vandalism

"Keep a Watchful Eye on Your Park"