Isolated Patrols

• Public does not see the officer

• Radio dispatching• Lost contact with

public• Contributes to “us

versus them”

Community Based

• Allows citizens to put a face to officers

• Allows officers to have meaningful contact with public

• Let both sides get to know one another

New Program

• Develop close working relationship with citizens

• Be proactive

• Dedicated to improving the quality of life for the people

• Promote mission of VDGIF

Expand Contacts

• Community-based

• Flexible to adapt to needs of each community

• Everyone within community

• Everyone encouraged to provide input

• Each person should be made to feel their interest/concern is as important as anyone’s

House Bill 38 Constituent StudiesIntroduction

House Bill 38

• Reallocates existing sales tax collections to VDGIF Game Protection Fund Amount

• Based on the latest National Survey, agency will receive $12.3 million in FY 2001

• Additional funding capped at $13 million

How was HB38 supported?

• Received support from consumptive & nonconsumptive users

• Passed both houses of VA General Assembly unanimously

Important Implications of HB38

• Creates new environment for the agency in terms of resources AND constituent base

• Increases current agency budget from approximately $36 million to $48 million

Political Realities

• Newly empowered constituents expect to be served by agency

• At the same time, traditional users - hunters, anglers and boaters - wish to retain their status as primary constituents

Virginians’ Attitudes Toward Fish, Wildlife, and Outdoor

Recreation

Survey of 806 Virginia State Residents

More Than One-Half Are Interested in Information

• About viewing wildlife

• What to do with injured wildlife

• Dealing with nuisance wildlife

• Enjoying wildlife around their homes

Within The Last Two Years

Percent (N=157)

Responsive Management

936

42

20

0 20 40 60

Took trip towatch/photoFished

Went boating/jetskiHunted

Virginia Wildlife Viewers’ Attitudes Toward

Nonconsumptive Wildlife Use

Survey of 811 Virginia Nonconsumptive Wildlife Users

Non-Consumptive User

33

66

85

68

67

0 20 40 60 80 100

Took trip of 1 mile to observe, photo, feedwildlife

Would Take a trip

Interested in wildlife within 1 mile of home

Want info on how to get invloved withwildlife

Want info on viewing wildlife

Percent (N=4)

Responsive Management

Virginia Hunters’ Attitudes Toward Hunting and Wildlife

ManagementSurvey of 826 Licensed

Virginia Hunters

Hunters Survey

64

64

35

0 20 40 60 80 100

Wants info on how to get involved

Felt access has gotten worse in last five years

Hunters fet access to private land is poor

Percent (N=826)

Responsive Management

Virginia Anglers’ Attitudes Toward Fishing and Fisheries

Management

Survey of 793 Licensed Virginia Anglers

Anglers Survey

40

84

0 20 40 60 80 100

Wants VDGIF to encourage landowners

Travel less than two hours

Percent (N=826)

Responsive Management

Virginia Boaters’ Attitudes Toward Boating

Survey of 849 Virginia Boaters

Boaters for Mandatory Boating Safety Classes

22

41

0 20 40 60 80 100

Somewhat support

Strongly support

Percent (N=849)

Responsive Management

People boating in Virginia during the past two years, that experienced any interference from jet skiers that took away from their enjoyment

43

25

0 20 40 60 80 100

Boaters

Anglers

Percent (N=849)

Responsive Management

Virginia Landowners’ Attitudes Toward Fish and Wildlife

Management

Survey of 291 Virginia Landowners

Q18-23. Percent of Virginia landowners that felt that each of the following is important (very and somewhat), for their tract of land.

93

92

82

80

76

67

0 20 40 60 80 100

Caring for/protecting fish/wildlife and theirhabitats

Wildlife viewing

Hunting

Farming

Timber production

Fishing

Percent (N=291)

Responsive Management

Q70-73. Percent of Virginia landowners who said that legal liability is a concern (major and minor) when considering allowing access to their land for…

81

75

56

49

0 20 40 60 80 100

Outdoor recreation

Hunting

Wildlife viewing

Fishing

Percent (N=291)

Responsive Management

Q74. Prior to this survey, would you say you were familiar with this [recreational use] statute, you knew about it but were unclear how much protection it really provided, or you were totally unaware that a law like this existed?

5

12

83

0

0 20 40 60 80 100

Familiar with the law

Knew about it, but unclear how muchprotection in really provided

Totally unaware it existed

Don't know

Percent (N=291)

Responsive Management

Research Conducted

• What programs were available to strengthen ties between the communities and VDGIF

• Material on wildlife and environmental issues related to crime prevention very limited

• “Neighborhood Watch” programs have been successful for other law enforcement agencies

Materials Developed

• In order to provide direction and uniformity developed a Wildlife Crime Watch Manual

• Recognizable logo

• Road Signs for participating communities

• Hand out brochures patterned after crime prevention literature based on wildlife and environmental issues

Agency Wide Program

• Wardens act as liaisons

• Biologist will be available upon request of communities participating

• Biologist will be able to present their concerns to communities

• Plans for web site quick link

Why Wildlife Crime Watch?

• Most law enforcement efforts are re-active

• Damage is already done

• Put emphasis on preventing damage by eliminating the opportunity for violators

• Communities can make a difference in what goes on in their area

• Law enforcement understaffed

Manual Contents

• VDGIF Mission Statement

• Why WCW

• Starting WCW

• The WCW Meeting

• The Role of Members

• Problem Solving

• Organizational Structure

• Phone Trees

• The Role of Law Enforcement in WCW

• Pro-Active Efforts• Sponsors• Resources• References• Blank forms such as

bylaws etc.

Emphasis on Wildlife and the Environment

• Put emphasis on issues important to VDGIF

• Give in order to get

• Give traditional crime prevention training

• Act as liaisons with other agencies

• Get them interested in items important to VDGIF

Communities Set Agendas

• Each one decides on meeting schedule

• Each one is encouraged to define the problem(s) as they see them

• Emphasis working together

• Have at least one community event, pot luck supper, etc.

Liaison Officers

• Coordinate training sessions

• Emphasis on how to report suspicious activities

• Explain how to use Phone Tree

• Put on programs which further the mission of VDGIF

• Develop partnerships with other agencies to assist participating communities

Emphasis

• Developing understanding between outdoor recreationalists and landowners

• Share concerns of all groups

• All age groups from youth to elderly are important

• Develop understanding among citizens of the diverse uses of wildlife

• Importance to allow others to practice their sport

• Not to be possessive to the point excludes others

Emphasis on Youth

• Conduct programs of interest to them, internet

• Conduct outdoor programs

• Stress they are the future leaders

• Build trust and cooperation

Partnerships

• Due to financial constraints funding for this program will come from forming partnerships with businesses, or groups

• Funding needed for signs, bumper stickers, tee-shirts and other items to develop an identity.

• Buchanan County Board of Supervisors, Virginia Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation and the Virginia Deer Hunters Association

Road Signs 2’ X 3’

First WCW Chapter

• In October of 1999 Buchanan County opened for deer season first time in over 20 years

• Effort was made to limit hunting by concerned citizens

• Warden Troy Phillips met with Ralph McGlothlin

• Warden Phillips obtained support from Buchanan County Board of Supervisors

• Fletchers Ridge Chapter formed with 38 people

Media Contact

• Television• Newspapers• Stress agency wide

effort• Stress try to involve

everyone• Stress to improve

cooperation

Dedication

This program is dedicated in the memory of Lieutenant R. W. (Wayne) Marshall: Law Enforcement Division of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.