[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 135 (Thursday, October 2, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1919]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING THE MASON DISTRICT NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM AND ALL OF ITS 
                              PARTICIPANTS

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. THOMAS M. DAVIS

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                       Wednesday, October 1, 1997

  Mr. DAVIS of Virginia. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize a 
neighborhood organization that is making a difference in the quality of 
life in northern Virginia. The Fairfax County Mason District Police 
Department is honoring its neighborhood watch participants on Saturday, 
October 4, 1997. This day of appreciation celebrates the success of a 
program which has helped the general crime rate to decline steadily 
since 1988.
  The neighborhood watch participants throughout the Mason District are 
dedicated individuals who selflessly offer their time to improve their 
community. The Mason District has the largest number of and most active 
volunteers in northern Virginia. As a former county supervisor from the 
Mason District, I can attest to the dedication of those involved in the 
neighborhood watch. All of those in the Mason District share a 
tremendous sense of pride in the accomplishments of our neighborhood 
watch.
  The individuals who work in this program coordinate with the police 
so they may keep abreast of crime in or around their community. The 
time and energy they give in walking their neighborhoods, tracking 
suspicious activities, people, and cars helps the Fairfax County police 
deter would-be criminals. The savings to taxpayers through the years 
has been millions of dollars, and the savings in crime deterred has 
also been measurable. The neighborhood watch program in Mason District 
proudly shows its strength and its numbers every year at the national 
night out where most of the over 100 watch patrols participate. The 
participants in this program have truly proven that getting involved in 
your community does make a difference. Those who take the time to cast 
a watchful eye on their surroundings ensure that they have a safer and 
more friendly place to live. The Parklawn neighborhood watch discovered 
a fire at Glasgow intermediate school in its early stages. Their early 
detection meant that firefighters arrived early and saved the school 
from serious damage. In other instances, leads established by the watch 
have led to solving burglaries and convicting car thiefs.
  The members and coordinators of the Mason District neighborhood watch 
work in one of the most diverse communities in the Washington area. 
They often bridge culture and language gaps to come together and build 
safer neighborhoods. Often, the Mason District neighborhood watch has 
lead to a better understanding of different cultures and backgrounds as 
people recognize that they share the same community values. One of the 
greatest assets of the Mason District neighborhood watch program is the 
bonds it has built between individuals and neighborhoods. The 
neighborhood watch is a program that truly brings neighbors together. 
In one instance, a widow and a widower met when paired together on a 
watch patrol in Sleepy Hollow. Six months later they were married. I 
can't promise every single person who volunteers for the watch in Mason 
District will be guaranteed a spouse, but it is clear that the 
neighborhood watch has brought many of its diverse population closer 
together.
  I know my colleagues will join me in saluting the Mason District 
neighborhood watch organization that has had so much success. The Mason 
District neighborhood watch participants have certainly earned a day of 
appreciation. Their work has made the Mason District one of the nicest 
communities on our Nation.

                          ____________________