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Ashcroft
Expands "Neighborhood Watch" Program
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| Attorney General John Ashcroft, left |
WASHINGTON,
March 8 (IslamOnline & News Agencies) - U.S. officials rallied Americans to
focus their energies on a new task: patrolling their neighborhoods for
“terrorists”, as many had done for decades in citizens' watch programs -
keeping an eye out for burglars and other unsavory characters.
Attorney
General John Ashcroft launched the expanded national "Neighborhood
Watch" program and announced $1.9 million in federal grants to expand the
program.
"Join
your neighborhood to protect your community," Ashcroft exhorted in remarks
to reporters to launch the "United for a Stronger America" campaign, a
broad-based national drive including television ads and a citizens' preparedness
guide to monitor suspicious activity.
Started
30 years ago and operating in some 7,500 neighborhoods throughout the United
States, "Neighborhood Watch" was initially conceived to prevent
assaults and burglaries in neighborhoods.
But
over the next 10 years, the program will be expanded to cover 15,000
neighborhoods, Ashcroft said. And Michele Robinson, who works with the project,
told Agence France-Presse (AFP) there is now a "heavy emphasis on terrorism
prevention information."
"We
want to create an atmosphere where everyone is looking out for each other's
safety," Robinson said. Under the revamped program, she said,
terrorists would be thwarted in the same manner burglars had been prevented from
lurking in neighborhoods and breaking into homes.
As
for how residents are supposed to identify potential terrorists, Robinson said
merely: "We expect people to be aware of suspicious behavior."
Since
the September 11 deadly attacks on U.S. landmarks, various civil rights
organizations and Arab and Muslim groups in the United States have rallied
against the mass arrests of people of Arab or Muslim origin in the ensuing
investigation.
Ashcroft,
criticized for allegedly targeting Arabs and Muslims in the investigation,
emphasized that under the new initiative "we don't recommend anyone to
profile or figure out a certain look or a certain type of person."
Still,
Robinson acknowledged that the risk of that happening does exist.
"We
do not expect to get phone calls from people because someone of Arab descent is
in the neighborhood. But, you know, ... it's a possibility," she said.
The
Islamic Institute in Washington D.C. also relayed their concern to IslamOnline
that the expansion of the “Neighborhood Watch” campaign might just result in
a witchunt and a game of “turn in your Arab/Muslim neighbor.”
“The
idea itself is a wonderful idea. It fosters community and helps neighbors
protect each other. But if not done appropriately or properly it will turn into
a game of ‘turn in your Arab neighbor,’” said Abdelwahab Alkebsi, the
organization’s executive director.
“What
constitutes some on who is suspicious? Is it just someone who is Arab or
Muslim?” Alkebsi went on to ask. But he does think that a “heavy load
of education” is important and can make the difference in eradicating racially
charged accusations.
“For
this [campaign] to be done properly, the Administration and the general public
need to consult with their Arab friends, neighbors, community members and
leadership.”
Lynn
Rossdale, who lives in an affluent community in Rhinebeck, New York, told
IslamOnline that she too is afraid for her Arab and Muslim neighbors.
“Right
after September 11 one of my co-workers came in and said ‘I am going to be
keeping an eye on those Muslims down the street.’
“I
remember thinking that it was a very racist comment to make and one filled with
unwarranted suspicion – especially since she had previously been friends with
the family and their children had even played together. There was nothing to
suggest that they were ‘suspicious’ or had anything to do with any
attacks.”
The
revamped program - launched in the wake of last year's attacks, which killed
more than 3,000 people - includes the broadcasting of public service
announcements to encourage involvement in the campaign, as well as the
distribution of hundreds of thousands of brochures entitled "United for a
Stronger America: Citizens' Preparedness Guide."
The
guide is aimed at helping Americans recognize the warning signs of a terrorist
attack. "Get to know your neighbors at home, be on the lookout for
suspicious activities," the guide recommends.
Officials
also recommend regular visits to the website www.weprevent.org, which offers
tips on protecting homes and families in the event of an attack.
"Back
to the good old days," quipped comedian Ed McMahon, who was called upon by
the Justice Department to help mobilize Americans for the new initiative.
McMahon
has agreed to star in televised public service announcements promoting them,
along with his daughter. He said the new program would help Americans
"to be closer to one another."
Some
current Washington area Neighborhood Watch members voiced apprehension at the
new task initiated by Ashcroft. "We're too open-minded to be racial
profilers," noted Peter Rothschild, 45, a computer security engineer, to
the Washington Post. Later he said, "If you see a guy in a turban, he's
probably the ambassador."
Rothschild
added: "Are terrorists . . . going to stay out of the neighborhood because
of Orange Hats? I have to wonder." Orange hats are the distinctive headwear
worn by Neighborhood Watch volunteers.
The
Post reports that Neighborhood Watch programs around the country have already
amped up their watchfulness. The National Neighborhood Watch Institute,
headquartered near Los Angeles, has been selling - for $27 each - large,
rectangular street signs that announce: "We Support HOMELAND
SECURITY."
Additional
reporting by Jamshed Bokhari and Neveen Salem.
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