Ask an Officer

Question: What is OCPA? 

Answer: Ed Bonchak and Kate McLaughlin, EPD

The Ohio Crime Prevention Association (OCPA) was founded in 1977 by a core group of dedicated law enforcement officers concerned about the safety of Ohio residents. Today, OCPA is the nation’s largest state crime prevention association, with a diverse membership representing law enforcement agencies, government offices, businesses, the faith community and resident groups. As the Professional Voice of Crime Prevention in Ohio, OCPA is a clearinghouse for state and national crime prevention and community policing training and resources. OCPA projects range from basic crime prevention schools and conferences, to training on important crime prevention topics, and timely publications.   

Several members of Euclid Police Department’s Community Policing Unit are crime preventions specialist through the OCPA. We provide security checks for properties, CPTED (crime prevention through environmental design) security analyses for businesses, resources, presentations to various groups, organizations and schools. Euclid Police would like everyone to know that October is national crime prevention month. This is a good opportunity for residents to take crime prevention measures to help target harden their property, keep personal belongings secure, and ensure personal safety.

One of the ways to achieve this would be to join the OCPA which is open to everyone. EPD recommends checking out the OCPA website at www.ocpa-oh.org/ for more information and to register.  OCPA offers membership for individuals and organizations and includes benefits such as a resource center and lending library, training opportunities, and crime prevention specialist certification. Euclid is in OCPA District 3 which meets several times each year in different Northeast Ohio locations. 

If you would like to submit a question to Ask an Officer, contact Community Policing at the Euclid Police Department:  email kmclaughlin@cityofeuclid.com or call 216-289-8449.