4/4/15 1

4/4/15 2

How Safe is Saratoga? •  Safest city in California

–  Safest city in California 2013 (at least 20,000 residents) •  Visit http://www.safewise.com/blog/50-safest-cities-california/ to see the complete list •  http://www.mercurynews.com/ci_24564844/saratoga-named-safest-city-california

–  2nd Safest city in California 2014 •  Safety is a priority

–  October 26, 2014 Crime Safety Forum –  Today April 4th, 2015 How to form a neighborhood Safety Watch –  Crime Prevention Forum, at Saratoga Senior Center, Saunders Room on May

19th 6pm to 9pm –  Saratoga Neighborhood Associations meeting at the Senior Center | Saunders

Room June 3rd 5:30 p.m. Captain Rick Sung will join –  Increase in city’s budget for security

•  12% increase in budget for public safety in 2014 •  One more sheriff / 1800 hours more

4/4/15 3

4/4/15 4

4/4/15 5

4/4/15 6

4/4/15 7

•  City of Saratoga Crime report – Click here –  http://www.saratoga.ca.us/cityhall/sheriffs_office/

weekly_activity_summary.asp

•  Read Saratoga News –  The crime report is typically a week to two weeks old

4/4/15 8

Keep up with the latest crime in Saratoga

4/4/15 9

4/4/15 10

Objective: Neighborhood Safety Watch (NSW) Bridges of cooperation instead of walls of isolation

•  Criminals know today that they can move through bay area neighborhoods, unrestricted, committing crime with impunity.

•  An effective Neighborhood Safety Watch program provides an important deterrent

•  What can this program do for you? –  Watch out for each other –  Report all suspicious persons and activities in our neighborhood to the

police. •  give law enforcement probable cause to approach those individuals and

ask them their business. –  Partner with law enforcement, and empower ourselves to protect our

neighborhood –  Overcome our fears. –  Protect our kids

4/4/15 11

Citizens empowering our own safety

•  Safe Saratoga Forum – a neighborhood group –  http://facebook.com/groups/safesaratoga

•  Our city has adopted Nextdoor. Subscribe at –  As of April 2015, 2000+ neighbors are on it –  Signup at Nextdoor.com (it is free) –  Engage in a dialogue with Saratogans, keep up with the

latest •  Safety Tips

–  http://dehavillandcox.weebly.com/safety-tips.html •  How to Form a Neighborhood Safety Watch

–  http://dehavillandcox.weebly.com/neighborhood-watch.html

4/4/15 12

Use case: Success in a neighborhood •  Did our neighborhood know each other?

•  Neighborhood Safety Watch is a good first step to bringing the neighborhood together

4/4/15 13

Establish a focus Area to establish your Neighborhood Safety Watch

(contain the boundary)

As a result of the Neighborhood Safety Watch Program we will have “Neighborhood Watch” signs entry points

of the neighborhood.

Step1: Identify “Neighborhood Watch Coordinator”

•  If you are thinking of running a program for your neighborhood, you are the natural lead or the designated coordinator

Role of the Neighborhood Watch Lead A Notify all residents in your neighborhood in writing (flyer) concerning establishing a Neighborhood Watch program. B. Get as many residents in area (40% recommended) to attend the meeting. C.Secure a meeting place (library, church, school, etc.). D. Act as liaison with the police department and disseminate any information which may lead to the solution of a crime. E. Identify block captains, structure the collection of information F. Schedule periodic meetings with block captains / residents as needed

4/4/15 17

Responsibilities of “Neighborhood Safety” Coordinators

•  Setup and governance of Neighborhood Safety Watch •  Liaison with city of Saratoga. •  Act as law enforcement liaison that informs their group

about law breaking activities that have occurred in the neighborhood.

•  Oversees the distribution of materials and information to the Block Captains, who in turn inform the homes in their group. This chain of command reduces duplication and promotes efficiency and discipline;

•  Maintain Master record: Database, work and home phone numbers, addresses, names and ages of people in the households as Emergency personnel (911) may need this information;

4/4/15 18

Neighborhood Safety Watch Coordinator

Name Phone Address Email

Step2: Propose the Neighborhood Watch program to your neighbors

Form a small planning committee of neighbors to discuss needs, the level of interest, possible challenges, and the Watch concept. Hold an initial meeting to gauge neighbors' interest; establish purpose of program; and begin to identify issues that need to be addressed. Stress that a Watch group is an association of neighbors who look out for each other's families and property, alert the police to any suspicious activities or crime in progress, and work together to make their community a safer and better place to live. 4/4/15 19

Step 3: Divide your neighborhood into zones

Divide your neighborhood into various zones (as needed) and Identify block captions for each zone. Zones are based upon a cluster of homes that are close to each other and can easily keep an eye over each other Ask for block captain volunteers who are responsible for relaying information to members on their block, keeping up-to-date information on residents, and making special efforts to involve the elderly, working parents, and young people. Block captains also can serve as liaisons between the neighborhood and the police and communicate information about meetings and crime incidents to all residents.

4/4/15 21

Block Captains - Trusted, decisive, pro-active individuals. ZONE Name Phone Address Email

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

Role of a Block Captain A Personally visit each dwelling unit in the block, distribute invitations announcing the meeting, and encourage neighbors to participate. B. Act as a base station for Operation Identification. This way neighbors can obtain Operation Identification materials from their Block Captains. The goal 100% participation is essential and the Block Captains is encouraged to personally contact those neighbors who have not participated. C.Act as liaison between the Coordinator and the Block Watcher, and disseminate any information which may lead to the solution of a crime. D.Distribute crime prevention materials to residents who were unable to attend the meeting. E.Act as an information base for residents when they leave for vacation or any time their home will be empty for a period of time. Find out who has a key (you are not responsible to keep a key unless you choose to), where they are going, and how they can be reached in case of emergency. F.If there is an incident, remind the Block Watchers to report it to the police department first. Then, when they have time, call their Block Captain, who in turn will report it to the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator 4/4/15 22

To Dos for the Block Captain •  Compile a zone directory and distribute it to neighbors within that zone. •  Work with neighbors within your zone and derive an informal structure to watch

out for each other’s property (example - setup an email alias, provide the email list to the other neighbors)

•  Inform the zone (via phone or email) about law breaking activities that have occurred in the neighborhood.

•  Be cognizant of your zone neighbors away on vacation. (Neighbors to inform the block captain of upcoming vacations by phone /email).

•  Identify a backup •  Compile a phone / email tree. •  Work with their zone homes and derive an informal structure to watch out for

each other’s property; •  Maintain an emergency information and phone numbers (that may not be

available to others in that group) •  Inform the zone about law breaking activities that have occurred in the

neighborhood. •  NOTE: Need to get assent from home owner to see if their contact is shareable

4/4/15 23

Step 4: Coordinator Organizes a Block Captain meeting

Schedule a separate meeting with only your block captions, explain to them the purpose and the steps. Get to know each other, explain the framework of communication See if the current block captain can recruit others to fill the gaps (if any) Pass on the block caption relevant docs that are contained here http://dehavillandcox.weebly.com/blockcap.html

Step 5: Schedule a neighborhood meeting

Schedule a meeting at a location like Saratoga library working with the Sheriff's office to lock a date. Invite the neighborhood, sheriff’s office, distribute flyers, post meeting notices, walk door to door letting folks know. The Sheriff's office will be there to observe quorum and neighborhood participation and interest. At this meeting, you should walk through the Neighborhood Watch program, introduce the block caption and run through the schematics and benefit of the neighborhood watch program. Lead should emphasize that they only ask neighbors to be alert, observant, and caring—and to report suspicious activity or crimes immediately to the police. This meeting is the ideal place to walk through a safety best practices and educate your neighbors. The sheriff's office will willingly do it. You may present it to your neighbors also - http://dehavillandcox.weebly.com/safety-tips.html

Introduce the Block Captain - Explain the role at this neighborhood meeting

•  The block captions should be introduced. They should solicit information from their specific neighbors and put together the zone specific database, that would be available to each member of that zone. Prepare a neighborhood map showing names,addresses, and phone numbers of participating households and distribute to members. Block captains keep this map up to date, contacting newcomers to the neighborhood and rechecking occasionally with ongoing participants. This link below is relevant for block captains http://dehavillandcox.weebly.com/blockcap.html

Block Captain communicates the plan for their zone

A Act as eyes and ears for your neighbors and report any suspicious activity. B.Study crime prevention material supplied by block captain C.Check homes of neighbors when they are out of town. D.Cooperate with and assist the Block Captain. E.Secure their own homes in compliance with recommendations in the Residential Burglary booklet.

4/4/15 28

Step 6: Communication: Facebook/ Email/ Web Page

Establish a regular means of communicating with Watch members—e.g., newsletter, telephone tree, e-mail, fax, etc. If you have a neighborhood email group that works well. Also, the lead(s) should synch-up with block captains whenever possible - but at least once a year – typically at block parties. Recruit new block captains if necessary.

Final Step 7: Post a Neighborhood Safety Watch Sign

If you are ready to post Neighborhood Watch signs, check with law enforcement to see if they have such eligibility requirements as number of houses that participate in the program. Law enforcement may also be able to provide your program with signs by working with the city of Saratoga.

Tips and Hints for Success •  Hold regular meetings to help residents get to know each other and to collectively

decide upon program strategies and activities. •  Canvas door-to-door to recruit members. •  Involve everyone -- young and old, single and married, renter and homeowner. •  Gain support from the police or sheriffs' office. This is critical to a Watch group's

credibility. These agencies are the major sources of information on local crime patterns, home security, other crime prevention education, and crime reporting.

•  Get the information out quickly. Share all kinds of news -- quash rumors. •  Gather the facts about crime in your neighborhood. Check police reports, do

victimization surveys, and learn residents' perceptions about crime. Often residents' opinions are not supported by facts, and accurate information can reduce fear of crime.

•  Physical conditions like abandoned cars or overgrown vacant lots contribute to crime. Sponsor cleanups, encourage residents to beautify the area, and ask them to turn on outdoor lights at night.

•  It's essential to celebrate the success of the effort and recognize volunteers' contributions through such events as awards, annual dinners, and parties. To help meet community needs, Neighborhood Watches can sponsor meetings that address broader issues such as self-protection tactics, isolation of the elderly, crime in the schools, and rape prevention.

4/4/15 31

Your neighborhood is just getting started

§  Block Captains rollover §  Block Parties §  Incidences §  Annual tune-up to the safety watch

4/4/15 33

. t.

Zone 10

Zone 9

Zone 7

Zone 6

Zone 5

Zone 4

Zone 3

Zone 2

Zone 1

Zone 11

Zone 8

NEIGHBORHOOD ZONE MAP

C

C

C C

C C

C

C

C C

Example – 11 Zones in a Neighborhood

4/4/15 34

Key Take-Aways for Block Captains •  Maintain an email list / phone list of the 7-10 homes of

your zone. –  Use for quick communication, who is on vacation, any

neighborhood breakins –  Use phone tree (so don’t have to do all the calling)

•  Funnel information to your zone folks

•  Pick a backup to take over when you are on vacation

4/4/15 35

Information to provide to your block captain

4/4/15 36

Calendar a block party this summer

Contacts •  Sheriff Contact

Captain Rick Sung Saratoga Chief of Police Office of the Sheriff, Santa Clara County (408) 868-6600 office (408) 868-6640 fax Rick.Sung@sheriff.sccgov.org

•  Saratoga Fire Department (for neighborhood preparedness program) 14380 Saratoga Ave Saratoga, CA 95070 Telephone: (408) 867-9001 TWhitley @SaratogaFire.org

4/4/15 37

•  Jim Yoke (for neighborhood preparedness program) Emergency Services Coordinator Santa Clara County Fire Department 14700 Winchester Boulevard Los Gatos, CA 95032 jim.yoke@sccfd.org

4/4/15 38

Before we wrap… A Neighborhood Safety Watch program does not do it all..it is just another tool towards empowering our neighborhood to watch out for themselves. Break-ins / Break-in attempts / simple thievery occur on a regular basis in the bay area. These occurrences have not just happened last week, they have happened last year, and almost every few years going back a couple decades Having accepted that…what can we do to prevent folks targeting our neighborhood over the next? Our objective is to put enough deterrents in place - such that we make it difficult for us / our neighborhood to be targeted. We would highly recommend reviewing this link http://dehavillandcox.weebly.com/safety-watch.html Or click here

4/4/15 39

4/4/15 40

Deterrents Specific action we can take in our neighborhood

•  Important to have a neighborhood safety watch in place –  Enforce it. Be on your guard. –  Not for namesake

•  Install security cameras to monitor street intersections that lead into their neighborhood if possible

•  Know your neighbors well, watch out for them and have them watch out for you) –  Know what cars they own and the days their pool/home gets

serviced •  Call your neighbors if you see any strange car parked by

their home. –  Better to err on the side of caution here.

4/4/15 41

Deterrents Specific action we can take Outside our home

•  Know your neighbors •  Think Deadbolts •  Lock your fence doors. Specially secure every single door and

window that is backyard facing. These are specially vulnerable as the thieves have all the time in the world to try to break them.

•  Protect your phone line, ensure that it cannot be easily snipped •  Install a mailbox with a lock to prevent identity thefts •  Don’t leave anything valuable in your car, whether

visible or hidden - That means no ipods or GPS systems sitting on your dashboard •  Install Motion Sensor lights in front of your house and behind •  Install security cameras front, specially around the entrance and

around your backyard •  "Beware of dog" sign is another deterrent. •  Put up signs outside your home that this home is under surveillance

4/4/15 42

Deterrents Inside the Home

•  Alarm systems – –  - Turn on the alarm in the night too prior to sleeping. Home have

been broken into in the middle of the night. –  - Ensure that your alarm sound is heard outside the home (place

a unit outside your home) –  Motion Sensors, Windows/Door Sensors, Glass sensors,

Outdoor alarm unit •  Protect your data (photos, videos, SS#, personal records to avoid

identity thefts, you can even lock your credit history). •  Keep your backup drives locked at a place outside of home eg.

work. Do not keep jewellery at home but in the bank locker. •  Password protect every single computer and hard drive you have

- you don't want someone else to get access to your personal files. •  Use protectors for any sliding door to prevent opening,

4/4/15 43

Deterrents Specific action we can take when on vacation

•  Notify your neighbors •  Stop newspaper delivery. Don't leave piles of

newspapers sitting on your porch/ driveway while you are on vacation or even if you are at home

•  Stop mail •  When you go on vacations, and happen to drive into the

airport long term parking, remove your insurance and registration from the car, and don't leave any paperwork that has your address. There have been cases, specially around T'giving, Xmas, when they break into cars, get the address to then break into the home.

•  Notify Saratoga police you are going to be gone. –  Additional patrolling