ARLINGTON — The “All-In” anti-crime campaign that began in Arlington last year is looking to continue with some four-legged partners.

While police have implemented anti-crime measures ranging from a re-formed Pro-Act Team to a new substation in Smokey Point, they’ve also been working with businesses and neighborhoods to enlist them as partners against crime as well.

The Legion Memorial Park gazebo hosted another community group June 24, as officials met with dog owners about becoming part of the “Pooch Patrol.”

“We would love it if you could walk your dogs in the Fourth of July parade, with them wearing Pooch Patrol scarves,” public safety director Bruce Stedman said. “I’d bring my own dog, but he’s fifteen years old, and I’d probably have to carry him.”

By contrast, Ventura has more active dogs, so he knows the hectic schedule of dog-walkers, which he touted as an asset to the Pooch Patrol.

“Dog-walkers, we’re out there more than anyone,” deputy police chief John Ventura said. “When other folks are at home asleep or watching TV, we’re out on the streets. When your dog wakes you up at five in the morning to go out for a walk, the only people who are out there are you and the crooks, so if you see something that looks suspicious, say something to the police about it.”

Ventura noted that calls are important because the department’s 23 officers are so busy they need those reports to know where to focus their energies.

“Don’t approach people who seem suspicious, because that’s what we’re here for,” Ventura said. “Even if we aren’t able to respond right away, we’ll still have that report to add to our data, to help us track crime throughout the city.”

Dog owners Annette Patterson and Kathy Freeman were curious how to report suspicious activity as members of the Pooch Patrol. Ventura explained that 911 callers can tell the dispatcher that it’s not an emergency, while Stedman added that the dispatcher will still want to know details such as why the activity seemed suspicious, what the people involved looked like and what they were doing.

“The problem is, if you just call our office number, it doesn’t go to the dispatcher,” Ventura said.

“We have told the dispatcher that, if we receive complaints that they’re being rude to callers, we will ask to hear those calls,” Stedman said. “In the two instances we’ve heard about, the dispatcher was found to be rude in one of them, while the other was the result of a miscommunication.”

“You shouldn’t be afraid to call in something you feel is suspicious,” Ventura said. “If you’ve thought about calling, you probably should have.”

Those interested in becoming Pooch Patrol members can stop by the Arlington Police Department to pick up a Pooch Patrol scarf and list of observation tips.