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El Dorado Police Department |
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Neighborhood Watch Program |
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What is a Neighborhood Watch? A program involving the joint efforts of the police department and the community designed to enhance neighborhood security, to heighten the community's power of observation, and to encourage mutual assistance and concern among neighbors. |
The Need for the Program
In recent years, neighborhoods have experienced rapid change. The old, well-established neighborhood has been replaced by a highly transient, growing community where people seek more and more privacy. This life-style tends to promote unfamiliarity with neighbors and a corresponding lack of concern. Unfortunately, this enhances the opportunity for the criminal element and increases the community's vulnerability to crime.
This condition dictates the need for a crime prevention program that will enhance neighborhood security, heighten the community's power of observation and encourage mutual assistance and concern among neighbors.
Goals of Neighborhood Watch
The main objective of Neighborhood Watch is to reduce the incidence of crime by:
- Increasing citizens' awareness of burglary and other neighborhood crime through a continuing information program. (Literature distribution and videos)
- Training citizens in the means of better property security and assist them in making their property more secure. (Operation Identification and Security Surveys)
- Developing a neighborhood action program where neighbors help watch each other's property and report suspicious persons and activities to law enforcement agencies. (Neighborhood Watch)
- Encouraging all citizens to cooperate with law enforcement agencies in reporting crime.
- Enlisting each home/apartment or business in Operation Identification.
How can I be a Neighborhood Watch
Participant?
Neighborhood Watch doesn't take a lot of time or money. Contact your local
law enforcement agency to find out specifically what Neighborhood Watch can do
for you and what you can do for Neighborhood Watch. In
What is Suspicious?
The effectiveness of a law enforcement department's crime prevention effort is enhanced by active participation on the part of citizens. By calling to report suspicious persons of activity, you not only aid the police, you make your community a safer place to live.
Some people fail to call simply because they are not aware of activities that might be suspicious. Others may notice suspicious activity and hesitate to call for fear of being labeled a "nosy neighbor". Still others take it for granted that someone else has already called.
Call 911 or 321-9100 immediately when you observe suspicious
activity. Do not worry about "bothering" them. Do not
worry about being embarrassed if your suspicions prove unfounded. Think
instead about what could happen if you do not act.
Information Most Often Needed
What happened? When did it happen? Where did it happen? Was anyone hurt?
Description of Persons: (Include Clothing). When describing suspects, notice age, race, sex, height, and weight. Compare your own height and weight with the suspects. Pick out some unique characteristics (scars, nose, jewelry, etc.) that will help you identify the suspect in the future if need be.
Description of Vehicle: License number, make, model, color, any noticeable damage, and direction of travel.
REMEMBER: For Police Assistance Dial 911 or the law enforcement department in your area.
Obvious Things to Watch For
Basically, anything that seems even slightly "out of place" or is occurring at an unusual time of day or night, could be criminal activity. Some of the most obvious activities to watch for and report include:
- A stranger entering your neighbor's house when it is unoccupied, may be a burglar.
- A scream anywhere may mean robbery or assault.
- Offers of merchandise at ridiculously low prices could mean stolen property.
- Anyone removing accessories, license plates or gas from a car should be reported.
- Anyone peering into parked cars may be looking for a car to steal or for valuables left displayed in the car.
- Persons entering or leaving a business place after hours could mean burglars.
- A sound of breaking glass or loud explosive noises could mean an accident, burglary, or vandalism.
- Persons loitering around schools, parks and secluded areas could be kidnappers.
- Persons loitering in the neighborhood who do not live there could be burglars.
- Anyone forcing entrance to, or tampering with a residence, business or vehicle should be reported.
REMEMBER:
Neighborhood Watch is a group of neighbors looking out for each other. It is getting to know each other and becoming familiar with your neighbor's habits and vehicles so that you will know when something is suspicious or out of the ordinary.
If you have any questions feel free to call 316-321-9100 and ask for Officer Frank Kratzer at the El Dorado Police Department, or send email to Frank.
Contact Us | El Dorado Police Dept. | City of El Dorado
Updated 05/2008