Safety and crime prevention is fundamental to the health and vitality of every community. Citizens need to know that their family and friends can walk in their neighborhoods without fear, and that their streets, parks, schools and public spaces are peaceful places. Safety is also critical to economic development and attracting new businesses to communities. When communities are safe, quality of life is enhanced and local economies flourish.

Perceptions of community safety, whether they are real or perceived, impact the way people feel and interact in their community. Community safety and crime prevention is not just a law enforcement issue; it’s truly everyone’s responsibility. It involves encouraging the community to support law enforcement and engaging all sectors of the community in helping Fort Dodge and Webster County become a safer place to live and work.  

The Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way established the Safe Communities Coalition of Fort Dodge and Webster County to improve safety by helping combat crime and violence and reduce the illegal use of drugs.  Making our community a safer place requires a multi-faceted and collaborative process for encouraging the public to work together and become engaged in this process for improving public safety.   

The Safe Communities Coalition will lead a coordinated intervention strategy between local law enforcement and various community partners that combines best practices in public safety, crime, violence and drug prevention to make Fort Dodge and Webster County a safer and healthier community. The Coalition will take a proactive approach in creating an atmosphere of cooperation, trust, and understanding in our efforts to create a safer community.

Citizens and businesses can join us in this process by becoming a Safe Communities member.  Just click on the JOIN THE COALITION button at the top of the page.