We are an alliance, not an organization. We are simply…
Neighbors Helping Neighbors.
We are a coalition of residents and businesses of Medina, Texas. This is not a government program, nor are we sponsored by any organization. Rather, we are an affiliation of autonomous community-minded groups. Each has its own identity, leadership, and area(s) of emphasis. Some Community Watch participants live on ranches near each other, while others orient their efforts to the needs of their neighborhood. Some groups identify publicly as “Community Watch” teams, while others use a name that is purpose or geographic-specific.
At the center of all this variety are three shared commitments:
- To help neighbors in their time of need,
- To improve community safety and security, and
- The orientation of building a healthy community; working together to ensure Medina is a safe, independent and self-reliant, family-friendly community.
Our Mission: Participants look out for each other, help others in their time of need, improve public safety, and when needed, backup our volunteer fire department, EMS, and local law enforcement. We assist our local schools, churches, and civic-minded organizations. And, when government services are unavailable or unnecessary, we link arms and stand in the gap.
Our Training Opportunities: We sponsor the “Life Happens” education programs held monthly at the Medina Community Library, as well as in-depth training at Community Watch gatherings. These sessions focus on self-reliance, healthy living, safety, security, communications, and emergency medical care. We regularly sponsor training on a wide variety of sustainability topics, such as energy independence, emergency power, water conservation, growing healthy food, raising fowl, fish, and food animals, and modern Safehaven homesteading. Plus, we provide specialized training in subjects such as major-injury first aid, stop-the-bleed, CPR, LTC licensing, firearm-defense tactics, 2-way radio, and an assortment of emergency-situation preparedness topics.
Our Communication Network: In cooperation with our local radio club, we have established an emergency communications network. Together, we help Community Watch volunteers select radio equipment, get their FCC license, gain operating skills, and regular practice. And, when telephone or power systems fail, our radio network also connects us to county-wide emergency services. With it, we can communicate with our Volunteer Fire Department, Constable, Emergency Medical Services, Bandera County Sheriff’s Department, and our county’s Emergency Operation Center. As a result, our network provides Medina with backup emergency communications, early warning capabilities, and the IC coordination of volunteers during local emergencies.
Our Operational Structure: As a band of independent groups, our association is informal. Nevertheless, we are intentional when it comes to working together to improve community readiness and to bring a unified approach to solving community problems.
So we are organized, but we are not an organization. We are simply enthusiastic about neighbors helping neighbors.
How to Get Involved: To see if there is a Community Watch group where you live or work, or for help in starting a group, email: MedinaCommunityWatch@ProtonMail.com
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Click Here to Download a PDF of the PowerPoint Presentation used at the Medina Community Library, ‘Live Happens’ meeting. (26MB) PowerPoint-Community_Watch-LifeHappens-210719
Click on the below to download either a PDF of this page or a form that might be useful for sharing contact information within your Community Watch group.