Community Resource Officer

Currently, there is one deputy assigned as a Community Resource Officer (CRO). This deputy is responsible for developing and monitoring crime prevention programs such as the Block Watch, Crime Stoppers and Safe Kids program, identifying crime trends, crime analysis, and acting as a resource to the community. The CRO also coordinates the Citizens On Patrol Volunteer Program, acts as the Kitsap County Drug Court Liaison and as the Domestic Violence Task Force Coordinator.

In 2000, the CRO monitored 116 active Neighborhood Watch Programs in the county and provided information and/or gave presentations to 34 other groups interested in forming a Neighborhood Watch program. The Sheriff's Office has joined National Safe Kids and helped to form the Kitsap County Safe Kids Coalition to reduce the number of unintentional injuries. The Coalition is affiliated with the Risk Watch Program. In cooperation with the South Kitsap School District, a Risk Watch curriculum was taught during the fall of 2000 at South Colby Pre-School, South Colby Elementary, and Sedgwick Junior High, There was a 9% average knowledge increase of safety issues taught at the pre-school level, 12% at the elementary level, and 33% at the junior high level.

The Citizens On Patrol Volunteers visit businesses and property owners/managers to ensure that their handicapped parking meets state requirements. They also enforce the handicapped parking laws, either citing or warning individuals who are illegally parked in handicapped spaces, and they perform abandoned vehicle checks and junk vehicle inspections.