Col. Stephen McCartney called on neighborhood association members Thursday night to be vigilant of crimes of opportunity; to be aware of vacant and foreclosed houses; and to keep an eye on the work of state legislators.

Speaking at what has become an annual dinner and meeting of neighborhood associations hosted by police at the FOP (Fraternal Order of Police) Hall in Apponaug, the chief said Warwick is fortunate to have a relatively low crime rate. On the top of his list are property crimes, such as breaking and entering and crimes of opportunity; created by leaving a car unlocked with a purse, laptop or GPS in plain sight.

He also asked that association members be mindful of vacant homes in the neighborhood, saying that some properties that have gone through foreclosure have been stripped of cooper piping and fixtures.

McCartney noted an increase in mental health problems as well. He said 10 to 15 percent of calls are related to mental health issues; cases where people have failed to take their medication; commit acts of domestic violence and are drinking excessively because of stress from the loss of a job and financial problems and demands they can’t meet. He said, under a crisis intervention program, the department will be working with the Kent Center and their mental health services to address these cases.

The surprise, however, was the recommendation that people pay close attention to what’s happening at the State House and some of the legislature introduced there.

“Go to the State House,” he said. “I’m not so sure these bills are in your best interest.”

McCartney’s concern is the effort to cut incarceration costs by watering down mandated sentences and looking to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana being studied by a Senate committee. Such an action would cause all kinds of enforcement problems he said, for example, assessing whether someone who has been using marijuana is capable to drive. And he is opposed to some measures that would reduce or eliminate certain prison sentences and releasing convicted criminals into the neighborhood.

“It is this whole business, we’ve got to get people out because we have to save money. We’ve got to think about this…there’s going to be so many people out and something bad is going to happen. Dollars and cents are taking over here.”

The chief also took a jab at those who would treat offenders lightly, believing that they are deserving of a second and third chance.

“If you are a violator you have to be accountable for your actions.”

In particular, he singled out the American Civil Liberties Union and its local director Steve Brown.

“We are all doing this because we want to be a kinder, gentler society. I know you are all busy but you’ve got to keep an eye on this – is it in your neighborhoods best interest?

Neighborhood representatives wanted to learn more and suggested they be emailed about specific legislation, which Lt. John Hannon, who heads the community police division, vowed to do.

Much of the meeting, however, was spent on hearing what neighborhood associations are doing and trading ideas. About 50 representatives were in attendance, as well as Councilmen Joseph Solomon, D-Ward 4 and John DelGiudice, D-5 and Councilwomen Donna Travis, D-6 and Helen Taylor, D-Ward 3.

Larry Brown, treasurer of the Lakewood Association, described how that group is using email to update residents of community events. It is also being used to blast a neighborhood alert if there is a spate of criminal activity. Brown praised the work of community police officers.

“There were many months we struggled,” he said of the organization, “thank good the police were there.”

The organizations differed dramatically in the range of activities and level of involvement. Some, like the Pontiac Village Association, have aggressively pursued grants enabling streetscape and other physical improvements. Other, like Norwood that, with the help of the city, run live summer music concerts, a Halloween party and Sundae at the Gazebo, with a bargain price to make their own ice cream sundae. A plan being weighed by the association is matching kids from the Boys and Girls Clubs with shut-ins and the elderly for tasks such as cutting the lawn, raking leaves and shoveling snow.

Becky Kotch of the Oakland Beach Association spoke of that group’s Easter egg hunt, beach cleanups, festival and steak fry. The big event, she said, is National Night Out, to which she invited other neighborhood groups to join.

Five officers working three districts provide contact with the neighborhood associations, attending meetings, responding to issues and providing information on criminal activity in the area. This is a reduction of one officer from last year.

“I know there has been a lot of anti-union feeling,” McCartney said but he went on to extol the actions of the Fraternal Order of Police and how, through concessions and staff reductions, police have saved taxpayers $1 million.

“They stepped up to the plate,” he said.

It was the performance of community police, however, that had the attention of the associations.

Echoing the sentiments of others who spoke before her, Karen McQuade of Pontiac Village said, “We are successful because these people do such a wonderful job.”