Communities across the country mark October as crime prevention month

Linn County Sheriff Tim Mueller is taking a stand against crime and violence through an event that challenges all community members to become more aware of crime.

As part of the Celebrate Safe Communities initiative, the Linn County Neighborhood Watch Council organized its Crime Prevention Awareness Seminar to show it makes crime prevention a priority. The event will be an opportunity to get to know and recognize those law enforcement and individuals who work tirelessly to eradicate crime and violence.

The Celebrate Safe Communities initiative is a new project designed to kick off Crime Prevention month by promoting successful local law enforcement and community partnerships. The initiative will begin Oct. 2-4, 2008.

"Crime prevention is a vital investment we must make. It is our promise to our community that we will work to reduce the number of people victimized by crime and that we will continue to make our communities safer from crime," Mueller said.

On Thursday, Oct. 2 at the Central Electrical Training Center in Tangent, community members are invited to hear two special presentations. U.S. Secret Service special agents based in Portland will talk about how to detect counterfeit money. A representative from the Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services will speak on the 2008 Oregon ID Theft Protection Act. The event will begin at 6:30 p.m. and is free to the public.

The National CSC partners include National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) and the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), which is providing funding support.

Along with the national partners, Albany, Lebanon and Sweet Home police agencies and the Linn County Sheriff's Office are proud to work together to "Take A Bite Out of Crime."