Neighborhood Watch

1. Neighborhood Watch

2. What Is Neighborhood Watch? • Community based crime prevention program • The eyes and ears to help fight crime • A partnership with the Police Department

3. Are you Ready to resist crime? • Is your neighborhood a TARGET for criminals? • FBI “19 seconds someone falls victim to a crime.” • Don’t be a victim, It Is Up To You!

4. What can you do? • Look • Listen • observe • record • report

5. Do you know who your neighbors are?

6. Fighting Crime Should Be Your Concern! • Police and citizens cannot stop crime without working together. • Neighbors and concerned citizens helping the police make a difference.

7. What is the purpose of Neighborhood Watch? • To make your homes and families less inviting targets. • To encourage cooperation with law enforcement through block and neighborhood groups ( To Control Crime Throughout The Community) • To Foster Neighbor’s looking out for one another. • To create a sense of community pride

8. How Does The Program Work?

9. To Be Part Of A Successful Watch, You Must : • Designate a coordinator • Assign block captains • Foster citizens awareness

10. The Neighborhood Watch Coordinator • The coordinator’s Job is crucial to the success of your program. • The coordinator expands and markets the program • Maintains an address list of members and residents • Keeps phone numbers current • Vehicle descriptions of residents

11. The Coordinator • Acts as a liaison between the WATCH members, law enforcement officers, civic groups and block captains. • Arranges neighborhood crime prevention training programs. • Obtains and distributes crime prevention materials.

12. Block Captains • Should be designated for each 10-15 homes • Should be volunteers • Should be reliable and Dependable • Should be Involved in the neighborhood.

13. Block Captain Responsibilities: • Acts as a liaison between residents and the coordinator. • Establishes a telephone chain by compiling and distributing current lists of names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of block participants.

14. Block Captain • Visits and invites new residents to join the Neighborhood Watch • Looks for opportunities to recruit members to your team.

15. Neighborhood Watch Patrol Instructions • Always Patrol With A Partner • This is not only a safety measure, but also provides for an additional witness and assistance in case of trouble. TRANSPORTATION • Either walk or drive, depending upon the weather conditions and your abilities.

16. Watch Patrol - Guidelines • Random routes are best • Patrol at random hours • Don’t be predictable • Patrol with a partner • Have communication

17. Watch Patrol • Carry a flashlight • Affix magnetic ID signs to your car • Wear reflective vests to identify and protect you in traffic. • Carry your patrol log book.

18. Watch Patrol • Patrols should be well defined • Patrol age is 18 or older • Must complete a training session

19. Watch Patrol • A patrol should consist of two people: a driver and an observer or two patrol members walking together. • PURPOSE: To observe and report ONLY. Patrol members should not become involved with suspect.

20. Watch Patrol • Patrol members do not possess police powers. Each member is liable for civil and criminal charges if one should exceed their authority. • Patrol members should not challenge anyone. Visual presence should be a deterrent to most criminal activity.

21. Watch Patrol • Patrol members do not pursue vehicles; attempt to get a license plate number. Remember: • Do not try to enforce traffic laws • Patrol as planned • Remain alert and visual.

22. Patrol Watch • Patrol Members may NOT consume alcoholic beverages while on patrol or report for patrol if they have been drinking. • Patrol members will not carry weapons • Members violating these procedures should be banned from the program. • Log books can be used for court.

23. Suspicious Vehicle • Vehicles in the following situation may be involved in crime and should be reported to the Police: • Slow moving • Lights Off • Circling the neighborhood • Parked / Occupied

24. Suspicious Vehicles • Parked by businesses or unoccupied residence • Abandoned (STOLEN) • Containing weapons or drugs (CRIMINAL)

25. Suspicious Vehicles • Check for some one being forced into a vehicle, especially a female or juvenile (Yelling and screaming victims) • Business transactions taking place especially around parks and schools. (This could be sale of drugs or stolen goods)

26. Suspicious Vehicles • Someone trying to forcibly enter it • Persons detaching parts or tires (Theft or vandalism) • Objects thrown from the window (disposing of contraband)

27. Suspicious people can criminals • Watch them • Record what they do • Report them to the police

28. Suspicious People • Not every stranger is a criminal. Legitimate door to door sales and repair people appear in residential areas frequently. • Occasionally, disguise themselves as workers. You must be alert and use your best instincts.

29. Suspicious People • Watch for people going door to door in a residential area, especially if one or more goes to the residence or loiters in front of an unoccupied house or building. (Burglary?) • Possible forced entry or entering an unoccupied home. • Heavy traffic to and from a home. ( Terrorist cell, Drug house?)

30. Reporting to the Police OBSERVE AND REPORT • Write it down • What happened • where it occurred (nearest cross street) • Was a weapon involved • Good vehicle or clothing description.

31. Reporting To The Police • License plate numbers • What state • Vehicle color • Approximate year of car • Bumper stickers, roof racks, body damage • direction of travel

32. Describing Persons • Sex • Race • Age • Height • Weight • Hair (Color and Length) • facial

33. Describing Persons • Shirt / Tie • Coat / jacket • Trousers / Dress • Shoes • Scars, marks, Tattoos or anything distinguishable

34. It’s our civic duty to protect our nation • With the threat of terrorism and criminals lurking among us in our great nation, we urge you to become a leader of your community and support neighborhood watch.

35. Our President Calls FOR YOU TO TAKE A STAND • Meet the challenge • Be a patriot and take a stand • Fight crime and terrorism from your neighborhood

36. September 11 , 2001Don’t ever forget!!! • Changing times • Rebuilding and securing starts in your community • The FBI reports that every 19 seconds someone falls victim to a crime

37. LOCAL Burglary in the neighborhood Car theft Sexual assault Mail theft And this list goes on... NATIONAL School Shootings Bombings September 11th attack And the list goes on... Why didn’t someone call?

38. Secure your home and our Nation • Terrorism is classified by the Attorney General as “A VIOLENT CRIME” • Crime and Terrorism affect us all, you are our first line of defense.

39. Neighborhood watch:Protecting our interest What can you do • Be Alert • Know your neighbors • Take what you see and hear seriously

40. What will you do:When it happens again • Take steps to plan ahead for emergencies • Have a neighborhood directory and plan • Make an emergency preparedness kit

41. What Fairfax County Public Safety is doing to prepare for your protection? • The Fire Department • The Police Department

42. We must stand as one nation to stop crime at all levels • Join Neighborhood Watch • Support Fire, EMS and Police • Report any and all suspicious activities • Have an emergency action plan and be prepared to use it

43. It is our civic duty to protect our nation • Keeping our nation safe and secure starts in your community • Crime affects us at all levels • Show your Pride for this great nation