neighborhood watch richland police department what is neighborhood watch? organized neighbors: ...
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Neighborhood Watch
Richland Police Department
What is Neighborhood Watch? Organized Neighbors:
Looking out for each other Immediately reporting suspicious
activity to the police department Learning about crime trends in their
neighborhood and ways to prevent crime
Working with the police department to address problems
What is NOT Neighborhood Watch
Vigilantism Neighbors acting as police Taking matters into your
own hands
First Neighborhood Watch Meeting Meet your neighbors Learn about crime in the neighborhood Learn when to call the police Learn ways to prevent crime Discuss any neighborhood
specific problems Share experiences Pick a Captain or President Share names, phone numbers and email
addresses with the rest of the group
Crime Statistics
www.crimereports.com
When to call the Police
You know your neighborhood better than anyone; what fits and what does not
Loud unexplained screaming or noise
Unfamiliar people loading property Unfamiliar people in or coming from
a backyard or garage
When to call the Police
Unfamiliar vehicles driving or parked in the neighborhood, especially ones talking to children
Unattended children Someone being forced into a vehicle Abandoned vehicles Anything else that you feel should be
reported. Trust your instincts.
Crime Prevention Your Home:
Use lighting to illuminate entry ways and driveways
Keep landscaping pruned to eliminate hiding places; shrubs below 3 feet, trees above 6 feet
All entry doors into your home should be solid core and have a deadbolt (including from the garage)
Crime Prevention Your Home:
Deadbolts should be heavy duty with a minimum 1 inch throw
Striker plate should be heavy duty and mounted with 3 inch screws
All windows should have a primary and secondary lock (ex. stick in the window)
Sliding glass doors should have a “Charlie bar” or stick to prevent opening
Crime Prevention Your Home:
Install an eye viewer in your front door
Keep your home locked, especially while you are home
Do not allow unknown persons inside your home
Verify the identity of service workersAsk for a solicitors license from any
door to door sales people
Crime Prevention Your Home:
Keep your garage doors shut and locked when not in use
Let a trusted neighbor know if you are going to be gone on vacation and cancel the newspaper
Alarm systems are a good option, but must be installed correctly and monitored 24 hours a day
Crime Prevention Your Home:
Record the make, model and serial numbers of valuables. Keep this information in a safe place
Consider engraving valuables that can be engraved – use your driver’s license number
Take photos of valuables.
Crime Prevention Family
Create and practice a home safety plan
Teach your children Not to answer the door or phone without
your permission What to do if they get lost or separated
from you Not to talk to strangers, accept things
from strangers, help strangers etc.
Crime Prevention
FamilyTeach your children:
Not to go into someone's home without your specific approval
Not to get in someone’s car without your specific approval
If someone tries to take them, to kick and scream and yell: “this is not my Mommy/Daddy!”
Crime Prevention
Your Vehicle:Keep your vehicle locked and remove
valuablesPark your vehicle in the garage if possible, if
not, then in a well lit drivewayConsider an alarm systemNever leave a vehicle running unattendedDon’t leave a garage door opener in a vehicle
parked in the driveway
Neighborhood Specific Concerns
Share Experiences
What’s next? Pick a Captain to serve as
the leader of the group and the liaison with the police department
Share names, phone numbers, and email (optional)
Annual Meetings
Have a block party each summerCan coincide with National Night Out, the first
Tuesday in AugustMake it an event and encourage people to help
bring food and chairsHave activities for the kidsGet any appropriate permits
needed from the city Invite the police department
Communicate
Send out a neighborhood newsletter on a regular basis
Can be done on paper or through email
Questions?
Officer Erica Tungesvik
Crime Prevention Officer
Richland Police Department
509-942-7636
www.crimereports.com