Crime Prevention Is His Avocation
Clyde Starr can remember when he and his neighbors never even worried about locking their doors.
After all, the land across the street was a pasture filled with frolicking horses, and crime was minimal.
That was more than 20 years ago.
Today, things have changed. Crime is skyrocketing in the Spokane Valley, and sheriff’s deputies are struggling to keep up.
So, when deputies gathered citizens almost two years ago to tell them how they could help, Starr decided to listen to what they had to say.
“I went to one meeting and I liked what I heard,” Starr said.
Since signing up in April 1994, the 77-year-old grandfather has taken all 12 courses the sheriff’s department offers through its community oriented policing effort.
Starr volunteers as a crime prevention specialist and is a member of the SCOPE East citizen’s patrol group, citizens finger printing program and gang prevention program, to name a few.
He also inspects residents’ door and window locks, makes sure bushes don’t hide windows and talks about crime prevention tips with home owners during home security checks - all while logging hundred of volunteer hours.
“When I start something I certainly go all the way,” Starr said. “And I have on this.”
For his efforts, Starr was named the SCOPE volunteer of the year.
“If every SCOPE station had 10 volunteers like Clyde Starr, we would all be assured of success,” said undersheriff Mike Aubrey when presenting Starr with the award last month. “His Duracell battery never quits.”
Starr proudly displays the framed certificate on his wall among the various other certificates he has received for his volunteer work. But he spreads around the praise.
“I was kind of embarrassed when they gave me the volunteer of the year award because there have been so many that have done so much,” he said.
A former contractor, Starr’s handyman skills have also proved valuable. The Otis Orchards resident donated more than 400 hours of time to help remodel SCOPE University on a limited budget.
Besides SCOPE, Starr is an active member of the state’s crime prevention program. He sets up neighborhood block watches and helps residents mark their belongings so they can be easily identified through the Operation I.D. program.
“If we don’t help each other, we’re not going to be able to keep from getting robbed, mugged or something else,” Starr said.
Lately, Starr has focused his energy on getting others involved. He has become an outspoken SCOPE member, constantly soliciting volunteers and hosting a barbecue at his house this summer.
A volunteer need only to be concerned about keeping Valley neighborhoods safe to be qualified, he said.
That’s why he signed up.
“Things were just not going right out here,” Starr said.
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