The Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) is creating a new opportunity for dog lovers, walkers and involved community members on Mercer Island: Paws on Patrol. The program aims to use these Islanders as extra “eyes and ears” to help prevent crimes in neighborhoods and parks.

The Mukilteo and Des Moines Police Departments have seen early results from their Paws on Patrol programs, which train dog walkers to watch for and report property crimes and suspicious activity.

Island police support officer Anna Ormsby said that the program, once it is established, could serve as a deterrent for criminals, as well as build a sense of community among neighbors and dog walkers.

MIPD has seen a lot of residential burglaries and car prowls reported in the past few years, especially in park parking lots. Having more feet – and paws – on the ground and on the lookout will help police keep Islanders safe.

Ormsby said that Islanders can be involved in this effort, even if they don’t have pets.

“It doesn’t matter if you have a dog or not,” she said. “The more people we have that want to be involved and be extra eyes on the Island, the better.”

Paws on Patrol will give members the training they need to be accurate observers. Interested residents can sign up online or in person at the police station for training sessions, which will start in a few weeks and be held outside City Hall. Participants are welcome to bring their own, leashed dog with them.

Having people who are willing to call the police when they see something that is just not quite right is a valuable tool, since 95 percent of police arrests nationwide are the direct result of a citizen’s phone call, according to the National Association of Town Watch.

Participants have reported underage drinking in parks, turned in found property that contained personal information and noted numerous other types of suspicious activity.

Keep an eye out for an open enrollment announcement or call Ormsby at 206-275-7932 for more information.