Saying that educating and motivating the community are critical to the success of community policing, Police Chief Charles H. Ramsey today unveiled his newest community outreach tool: "DC CrimeWatch," a half-hour, television news magazine program that shows how police officers and residents are making their neighborhoods safer by working together.

"The success of community policing in the District of Columbia will depend, in large part, on our communities being aware, being informed and, above all, being motivated," Ramsey said. "‘DC CrimeWatch’ is an important part of my strategy to inform and inspire not only the community but also our police officers -- to publicly pat them on the back for a job well done, and to encourage others to get actively involved in neighborhood safety. This program demonstrates very clearly that when we work together, we can make a difference," Ramsey said.

Each "CrimeWatch" episode will highlight community policing success stories from across the District of Columbia. The first episode includes features on recent anti-prostitution efforts by police, residents and business leaders in the Logan Circle neighborhood, the growth of citizen cellular patrols, and a recap of National Night Out. Future episodes will focus on other problem-solving efforts in the PSAs (police service areas). Each episode also features a "most wanted" fugitive and provides crime prevention tips and features such as "man-in-the-street" interviews and an "ask the chief" segment.

"By presenting these success stories in depth, in three- or four-minute packages, we are able to provide meaningful, solution-oriented information to the public. Residents can learn how to take problem-solving strategies that worked in one community and use them in their own neighborhoods," Ramsey said.

"DC CrimeWatch" will run multiple times a day on the District’s cable channels. Two new episodes will be produced each month.