Email   Print   Share By Lt. Gen. Don Campbell Jr., III Corps and Fort Hood Commanding General

Facebook Digg Delicious October 11, 2012 | Editorial

Two of the most important Army Values are integrity and respect. These values are at the bedrock of being trusted team members throughout our formations. Without integrity and respect, we would be a hollow force and unable to accomplish even the most basic of our missions. It is for these reasons that I would like to highlight that October is National Crime Prevention Month.

National Crime Prevention Month is a time when we can refocus on how to protect our Soldiers and Family members, as well as other members of our community. With new technology and Internet, criminal threats have unfortunately become much more plentiful. It is extremely important that everyone has heightened awareness to all these threats. Like in battle, the key is identifying the threat first.

To our Soldiers: many of these threats are being directly targeted at young people, so please be aware. I will mention just a few of these. First, finding and selecting a first apartment. This can be an exciting time, but there are also many pitfalls to avoid. Ensure you take the time to look at the security measures, both internal and external, around a prospective apartment. Also, understand the terms of the lease prior to signing and also be aware of where your personal information is going. Many new Soldiers will also be getting credit cards and insurance for the first time. Once again, it is important to understand the terms and conditions of any agreement or contract that you sign. Also, in a time when identity fraud has become more prevalent, protecting your personal information is again critical. In all of these cases, it is important to understand how much you can afford and to budget appropriately.

While most here at the Great Place understand the value of trust and the importance of helping a fellow Soldier or Family member, many incidents and crimes still have one common thread and that is alcohol abuse. Roughly 17,000 deaths annually, or 32 percent of all vehicle fatalities in the United States, are alcohol related. On holidays, like Christmas and New Years, the rates rise to 38 and 41 percent, respectively. I want to emphasize personal responsibility and also the responsibility of battle buddies. Too often, someone has the ability to stop an incident or crime, yet they sit idly by and do not take action. Our greatest resource is our Soldiers, and it is a tragedy when we lose one to an incident that could have been prevented. This goes beyond just drunk driving, but also being able to socialize responsibly.

These are just a few items being highlighted during National Crime Prevention Month. I encourage everyone here to be vigilant in our efforts here at the Great Place. Do not keep your valuables secured in your vehicles. Maintain good security and access control to your barracks room or quarters. Be aware of any suspicious activities in your neighborhoods or work areas. Be aware of what information you access and what you download on the internet. Also, report incidents of workplace harassment or school bullying. Not being safe and secure at work or school is unacceptable. Together, with the team in our local Central Texas community, we can make a difference to reduce crime and increase safety. More information and the entire resource kit for National Crime Prevention Month can be found at www.ncpc.org.

We are all very fortunate to live in an outstanding community with neighbors and friends that care. In fact, many neighborhoods here at Fort Hood have had block parties this past weekend in recognition of National Night Out. These are wonderful events, and I encourage everyone to participate when they can. Please be responsible and do your part. As great as the Great Place is, we can always take action and do something to make it better.

Phantom Warriors! Army Strong!