Residents of The Woodlands can learn directly from top leaders how officials and public agencies serve the community during Watch Talk Wednesday, a free monthly program designed to share general safety information and crime prevention practices.

Holly Steinke, program coordinator for Watch Talk Wednesday, said the series started i after she and a colleague realized residents were curious about how certain public agencies worked. Many local residents would ask about the duties of different departments, Steinke said.

"We thought that [Watch Talk Wednesday] would be a good way to have an educational program on a variety of topics that people ask about," she said. "They wouldn't normally get to talk to these people."

The first Watch Talk was held in February 2010 with Montgomery County Sheriff's Office Capt. Andrew Eason and then Lt. Ronnie Glaze of the Harris County Precinct 4 Constable's Office.

The list of speakers varies due to the wide range of topics covered, she said. Since the start of the program, Steinke said, she has received several requests from local residents for speakers from specific agencies, such as the Texas Ranger Division and U.S. Marshals Service.

She fulfilled those requests with a 2013 talk by Texas Ranger Wende Wakeman, who made news in July when she became the highest-ranking female in Texas Ranger history as a result of her promotion to the rank of Lieutenant. Supervisory Deputy U.S. Marshal Cameron Welch and Deputy U.S. Marshal Alfredo Perez gave a 2012 presentation on their duties at the nation's oldest federal law agency.

Past programs have included presentations by local elected officials and public servants from local, state and federal agencies.

In April, Montgomery County Precinct 3 Justice of the Peace Edie Connelly talked about the judicial system. Her presentation included examples of cases covered by the court, new rules for the court and 2013 statistics.

In March, Detective James Blackwell of the Montgomery County Sheriff's Office discussed identity theft and scams. He also included information on how someone who has had his identity stolen can get help.

Steinke said the events are important in educating the public on safety and strategies to stay safe. That is the main objective of the events, she said.

The presentations are a part of The Woodlands Watch, the community's neighborhood watch program, which has been in existence for nearly 30 years.

Meetings are scheduled during the day to accommodate speakers' availability, Steinke said.

Upcoming meetings

Talks are held on the fourth Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. Events are free and open to the public. Only three events are left in 2014:

• Aug. 27


• Sept. 24


• Oct. 22

No meetings are scheduled in November and December due to holidays.

The Woodlands Township

2801 Technology Forest Blvd.

The Woodlands 281-210-3800

www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov