Concerned Citizens Step Toward Self-reliance

A member of the Concerned Citizens of al Arafia guards his post during a 12-hour shift.

Multi-National Division - Center
Media Release
HQ, MND-Center
Baghdad, Iraq

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

By Sgt. Natalie Rostek, 3rd HBCT Public Affairs

FORWARD OPERATING BASE HAMMER, Iraq – A group of Iraqi citizens in al Arafia, near Jisr Diyala, are taking steps to secure their own homes and neighborhoods.

Tips from the group helped lead Company D, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment to a weapons cache on Aug. 15 in an area outside Al Arfia.
Soldiers from Company D discovered seven 107 mm rockets and 10 anti-tank mines. They also detained two individuals for questioning.

The Concerned Citizens is a group of local residents who have begun a reconciliation campaign with various extremist groups, according to 1st Lt. Mark Mendes, of Westchester, N.Y., fire support officer for Company D, currently attached to the 3rd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment. Many of their members are former Iraqi Security Force members.

The project was entirely conceived by Iraqi citizens and is run solely on local, volunteer leadership and participation. It is open to any citizens willing to take a stand against crime in their community.

Joining the program is simple. A volunteer must talk to either the local National Police commander, or one of the many Concerned Citizen leaders. Mendes said citizens can also ask any member to point them in the right direction. Each member is then required to take an oath upon joining.

The Concerned Citizens, now 49 members strong, are securing their community, which lies in the 3-1 Cavalry’s area of operation, with little help from the Americans, Mendes explained.

The neighborhood watch program requires each member to conduct security patrols during a 12-hour shift. Medes said they patrol their areas looking for extremist activity. If, on their shift, they witness such activity, they make a report to one of the various National Police checkpoints in the area.

“It is great that the Concerned Citizens program is taking off,” Mendes said. “They are standing up and providing security for their neighborhood. It shows how committed they are to cleaning up their community.”

The 3-1 Cav. is assigned to the 3rd Heavy Brigade Combat Team from Fort Benning, Ga.