Now Federal Way citizens interested in reducing crime in the community can take a more active role, thanks to the newly implemented Safe City Federal Way program.

The program kicked off this month with the goal of increased information sharing between the Federal Way Police and the community, an enhanced collaboration that the local government and police hope will lower crime rates and increase economic growth.

The two-year project between the Federal Way Police Department, the City of Federal Way, the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce, and Target Corporation ushers in a new era of community policing.

To kick off the program, these groups welcomed the community to the Macy's Courtyard in the Commons on December 4, where representatives from the Federal Way Police Department outlined Safe City Federal Way's tactics and objectives.

According to FWPD, Safe City Federal Way uses a combination of technical and information-sharing tools to empower the community to achieve crime prevention results. The department outlined a list of intended results of the program, including a reduction in crime committed in the City of Federal Way, a flourishing and safe atmosphere for consumers and businesses, economic development within the safe zone, and an increase in communication between city government, law enforcement, and the business community.

The program also proposes a decrease in response time in the City of Federal Way and an increase in officer safety.

Safe City Federal Way will use existing technical solutions and combined resources to invest in new upgraded solutions, such as closed circuit television.

The program will make use of 25 wireless cameras set in strategic locations within an approximate one-square mile radius of the downtown area, dubbed the "safe zone."

Federal Way Police can access these cameras from any computer, including laptops located in each patrol vehicle.

The department said "the goal of these cameras is to catch criminals while 'in the act,' and to emphasize that the City of Federal Way is not a friendly city for criminals."

Private security and loss prevention located within the safe zone and the Federal Way Police Department will communicate via a dedicated Safe City radio frequency.

"We are excited about the Safe City Federal Way program and believe it will play a key role in our crime reduction strategy and in our city's economic redevelopment plan," said Brian Wilson, Federal Way Police Chief.

The Safe City Federal Way project was made possible through funding from the Target Corporation, the City of Federal Way, Weyerhaeuser Corporation, and the Federal Way Chamber of Commerce.

Currently there are only 17 cities in the nation that can join Federal Way in claiming the title Safe City.

A majority of those cities have populations over 500,000.

The City of Federal Way will be the first city in the Northwest region having a community-policing program of this caliber.

The Department emphasized that the distinction of becoming a safe city will enhance community safety and economic development in the City of Federal Way, a title and a status the city hopes will retain and attract new businesses.

The Safe City Federal Way program was modeled after a similar program in Northampton, England, which yielded impressive results in crime reduction.

The urban area of more than 200,000 people experienced a 12 percent overall crime reduction in the first year under the program.

Northampton followed with a 36 percent crime reduction by the end of the program's second year.

The city reduced shoplifting crimes by 15 percent in both the first and second years, while citizen feedback indicates a higher satisfaction with community safety.

The Safe City Federal Way website offers citizens and the business community the ability to efficiently receive ongoing information from law enforcement (i.e.: crime bulletins and crime prevention tips).

This website will also allow citizens an opportunity to report illegal activity. As a result of this feedback, police can dedicate enforcement efforts to address those concerns.

Citizens interested in participating in this program can obtain more information at www.cityoffederalway.com.