THPD begins Walkabout Wednesday

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — Officials with the city of Terre Haute have begun, what they are calling, Walkabout Wednesday.

Starting Wednesday September 4th, the Terre Haute Police Department, along with other agencies of the city, will be knocking on resident’s doors, asking if they need help. People will have the opportunity to tell the city what problems they are having in the neighborhood and what could possibly be done about it.

THPD says this idea came from city leaders.

As you’ve seen since Mayor Sakbun has taken office or Chief Barrett has taken office, we are trying to be more accessible to the public. With the Coffee with the Chiefs, the Custard with the Chiefs, we’ve created an entire program. A community alliance program with liaisons to the city, this is just one more addition to that. We want to make sure that we are accessible, we want to make sure we are hearing the public, we’re servants to the public. We want to make sure we are addressing any issues that they may need.

Justin Sears – Public Information Officer – THPD

For the innagural walkabout, multiple city leaders and officials joined the police. Mayor Sakbun, the Red Cross, code enforcement, and social workers were all in attendance.

Wednesday, the houses near 22nd and 2nd street were the focus. Some residents weren’t home to answer and the ones that did were surprised and confused. One resident says at first, she thought something bad had happened.

My first thought was something bad happened. Then when I came outside and I got talking to everybody, it kind of made me think of like a neighborhood watch sort of thing, which is kind of cool.

Brianna Frank – TH Resident

Frank says she thinks a program like this could be great for the city.

I think it’s awesome. I love it and obviously my kids love seeing them out here. I think that they should do this in other neighborhoods. Especially neighborhoods around here though.

Brianna Frank – TH Resident

The Terre Haute Police Department says the timing of the walkabouts will be random, but they are going to make sure to hit every part of the city.

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