Economic Development Through Entrepreneurship
Band of Neighbors, a Fresno startup company and onsite member of the Central Valley Business Incubator, successfully launched its phone-based crime prevention tool in Tulare, Calif., on July 1.
Michael Wanke, Band of Neighbors CEO, said that the crime issues Tulare businesses experience – check and cash fraud, graffiti and vandalism – aren’t new, but Tulare is choosing an innovative way to attack the problem.
“Band of Neighbors is a technical solution that can help deter crime and also catch criminals when a crime happens,” Wanke said. “We have a solution that does not require any new technology or equipment, or any new skills. It can be used by anyone who knows how to work a telephone.”
Band of Neighbors, Wanke explained, is essentially a modern phone tree. Any subscribing member can simultaneously send an alert to everyone on their network through their phone, and any member can send back updated information. Using Band of Neighbors simply takes the human error out of the traditional phone tree and makes communication instantaneous.
Jennifer McCoun, CEO of Tulare Chamber of Commerce, said the crime prevention tool would be used with Tulare’s Business Watch system, a crime prevention program that enlists the active participation of the business community to reduce crime at business locations. “Tulare is the first in the nation to embrace this technology,” she said. “I’m excited that we are the first to work on this project. It’s something that will really help the community.”
Tulare Police Chief Roger Hill was also pleased about the launch, as well as the strong support of local businesses. “This is a great tool to involve the community in preventing crime and help the police department assist when we’re needed,” he said. “It always helps the community when people get involved.”
Beyond helping crime prevention, Band of Neighbors is poised to become a national product that can produce much more for the Central San Joaquin Valley, said Craig Scharton, CEO of the Central Valley Business Incubator. “Band of Neighbors is a great example of a local entrepreneur who has used his problem-solving skills to create a business that also helps the community,” he said. “Band of Neighbors will become a large employer and revenue producer for the Central Valley’s economy.”
For more information visit www.bandofneighbors.com.