For the first time, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is recruiting the public for a new community policing program.

The new Community Shield Program will train citizens to better spot illegal activity.
Starting in October, troopers will teach residents the signs of human and drug trafficking, impaired drivers and homeland security problems.

On Monday at the Wintersville OSHP post, troopers explained the program.

"We have an increased amount of criminal activity that occurs on our roadways. We're focusing a lot on our criminal control program, including the increased attention that human trafficking is getting," said OSHP Lt. C.L. Johnson.

Valeria Daniels, of East Liverpool, said she thinks it's a good program.

"The people are out on the road all the time. I think they see more cars than the troopers can. I think it's a good idea that they can call in and alert the troopers when they think there's somebody drunk," Daniels said.

Troopers said they want everyone to register by Oct. 1. A course on Oct. 10 will only be a couple of hours, but they said the program has already had some success on the road.

"We've already done this with trucking companies, with truckers being out on the road 24/7," Johnson said.

But, it's the first time the OSHP will expand its resources and eyes on the road to this extent for crimes.

"We can look for obvious criminal indicators and take action based on that. And with the ability of the general public to be able to be a little bit more aware of what to look for, they can then call our dispatch centers and we can dispatch troopers to that area," Johnson said.

Troopers said to call during business hours to register for training. While out on the roads, people can still dial #677 to report activity.

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