Dogs Join Towson's Citizens on Patrol Group

The Towson Area Citizens on Patrol unleashed a new element of its community watch program recently: Dog Walker Watch.

The Towson group’s vice president, Pat France, is doing her part with dog Salty, according to WJZ.

“I know who looks right in my community,” she told the news station, and if a person sees something suspicious, “you pick up your cell phone and you call 911 and you get out of there.”

Nationally, the idea of including dogs in neighborhood watch programs is taking off, the National Association Citizens on Patrol told The Baltimore Sun, noting that taxi and truck drivers have been recruited in other parts of the country. The idea that they have a routine makes it easier to clue in on things that are out of place.

“Dog walkers are out at all hours of the day and in all types of weather—and they know who belongs in their neighborhood...” according to an announcement about Dog Walker Watch on the Ridgeleigh Community Citizens on Patrol blog.

The Towson Area Citizens on Patrol has been around since 2000, patrolling downtown Towson and 25 neighborhoods that surround it.

One of those areas—Wiltondale—started incorporating dogs into patrols there, and the idea has taken hold, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Towson Area Citizens on Patrol announced the rollout of the Dog Walker Watch last month and has continued to recruit people and their pets to participate.

Anyone who is interested may find contact information on the Towson Area Citizens on Patrol page.

Photo Credit: Towson Area Citizens on Patrol/Facebook