PRESS RELEASE: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: JANUARY 29, 2008

TO: NEWS DIRECTOR

FROM: OMAHA COALITION OF CITZEN PATROLS

CONTACT PERSON: Chris Costantakos 319-3345

OMAHA COALITION OF CITIZEN PATROLS PRAISES MAYOR’S COMMUNITY POLICING INITIATIVE

Omaha Coalition of Citizen Patrols president Chris Costantakos praised Mayor Fahey’s new initiative for community policing, slated to begin next Fall. In his State of the City Address on Tuesday, the Mayor announced the formation of a new initiative under which two police officers in every Sergeant’s district will be assigned to focus on neighborhood concerns and to work within the community to address crime.

“The Mayor’s new initiative represents a very important step to help increase the safety of our neighborhoods,” Costantakos said. “We look forward to this initiative, and the Omaha Coalition of Citizen Patrols will continue its efforts to work with the police in the fight against crime.”

The Omaha Coalition of Citizen Patrols is a coalition consisting of approximately 30 citizen patrols that operate in various neighborhoods throughout Omaha. Trained citizen volunteers drive through their own neighborhoods in visibly marked vehicles and observe conditions in the neighborhood, and report any suspicious activity or situations to the police.