OBJECTIVES OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM

The main objective of Neighborhood Watch is to reduce the incidence of crime by:

1. Increasing citizens' awareness of burglary and other neighborhood crime through a continuing information program.
2. Making recommendations to assist citizens in making their property more secure.
3. Developing a neighborhood action program where neighbors help watch each other's property and report suspicious persons and activities to law enforcement agencies.
4. Encouraging all citizens to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in reporting crimes.

DUTIES AND RESPONSBILITIES

1. Coordinates any Neighborhood Watch meeting.
2. Acts as a base station for the program in their neighborhood.
3. Acts as the liaison between their neighborhood and the Police Department's Crime Prevention Officer.
4. Assures that literature is distributed to those who are unable to attend the meeting.
5. Oversees the Block Captains.
6. Provides yearly update information to their Crime Prevention Officer.
7. Attend a minimum of four (4) Crime Prevention Steering Committee meetings per calendar year.

1. Coordinates a block watcher meeting with the homes that he/she is responsible for and/or personally visits each home/apartment unit in their area, distributing the proper information on home security and operation identification to their neighbors encouraging their participation.
2. Acts as a liaison between the Coordinator and their area of responsibility and disseminates information communicated to him/her which may assist the police.
3. Keep their Block Watchers (homeowners) updated on new crime prevention strategies.
4. Invites new residents throughout the year to join the program.
5. Participates in Operation Identification.

OPERATION IDENTIFICATION

Most burglars sell what they steal, making it hard for police to trace stolen goods. Once it has left your home, that television or bicycle looks just like thousands of others. Unless you can prove it is yours, the police cannot return it. To help protect your property, join

You can borrow an engraving pen or an inexpensive diamond-tipped marking pen from the Crime Prevention Unit. These can also be purchased from a home improvement store.

Mark televisions, radios, appliances, golf clubs, tools and items such as these. Make a complete inventory of all items containing serial numbers. Put the inventory and photos in a safe place, along with other seldom-used materials. If police recover your property, the pictures and serial numbers will help prove that the item is yours. Such records are also useful in filing insurance claims. Also video taping your items is another way in identifying your property.

Finally, let the burglars know that your goods are marked and can be traced. Get your community to be an active Neighborhood Watch and all the participants will receive Operation Identification stickers. Display these stickers on your front window, front door, or on any other clearly visible location.

Every precinct has a Crime Prevention Officer available to you. Here are the addresses and phone numbers of the four police precincts as well as the Crime Prevention Unit.

HOME SECURITY TIPS

Improved security will protect your new stereo and your television, along with your family. If you still think you will never be a kidnapped victim, could you say the same about burglary? What did the new stereo cost you, how much time and irritation goes into reporting the crime, computing depreciation for the insurance company? Why not put half the time into better security?

A home security survey can be coordinated for your home by contacting the precinct you live in and request to speak with a crime prevention officer.

Here are a few security tips you that the homeowner can take care of.

• Change all locks when moving in after previous tenant or owner.
• Do not leave keys in a "hiding place" outside the home.
• Develop a sufficient rapport with your neighbors to be able to watch out for each other's homes, especially during trips, vacations, etc.
• Keep shrubbery trimmed. Grounds, planning, shrubbery lush overgrown shrubs can shield intruders.
• Security lighting is a must on the outside. Also, possibly invest in a timing device for the inside of your home.
• Do not give out your phone number in response to a "wrong number." If the caller asks, "What number is this?" you reply by asking, "What number are you calling?"
• Your children should be instructed in the proper use of the telephone. Teach them not to give out personal information.
• All home phones should have police, fire, and ambulance phone umbers posted on it or by them. Remember 911 or 427-5000 (non-emergency). 
• Keep a running inventory of your personal belongings. If stolen, you will have this information to give to the police and your insurance company.

Electronic Police Reports Online may be accessed here: http://198.252.244.2/epro