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Neighborhood Watch

GET INVOLVED

The security of your neighborhood depends on your active participation.

The most important thing you can do to increase safety in your neighborhood is to get to know your neighbors. Neighbors can look out for one another by being each others eyes and ears. Getting to know the habits and routines of your neighbors will enable you to quickly recognize when something is unusual or peculiar and might require action by the police department. The purpose is to be alert and aware of the normal and usual routines and surroundings in your neighborhood so that prompt and appropriate action can be taken when necessary if something appears unusual or "out of place."

Why Neighborhood Watch?

There can't be a police officer on every corner, so citizen involvement is essential to combating crime. You and your neighbors are the ones who really know what is going on in your neighborhood. By cooperating with each other and law enforcement, people can help fight crime in their community in the most effective way ~ before it begins!

Selecting a "block captain" is the first order of business in forming a neighborhood watch. The role of the block captain is to be a spokesperson for the neighborhood or street. This person should organize the neighborhood watch meeting and gather information needed to compile a neighborhood information list. At minimum, the list should include the names, addresses, home phone and work numbers of residents. The block captain's role is to assist the neighborhood watch group, not to monitor problems . Call the police if you see or hear anything suspicious, not the block captain.

The members of the neighborhood watch group can start by getting to know more about one another. For example, know your neighbors' vehicles and daily routines. This will help you recognize unusual or suspicious activities. Consider exchanging the following types of basic information with your neighbors:

• Home and work numbers
• The number, ages and names of family members or residents
• Works hours
• School or Day Care hours of children
• Scheduled deliveries or repairs
• Planned vacations or visitors

Home Security Tips

• Have good lighting at all entrances
• Secure all outside doors with deadbolt locks; Outer doors should be 1-3/4 inch thick solid core wood or metal
• Add auxiliary locks to sliding glass doors to prevent lifting and sliding
• Add auxiliary locks on all windows to prevent lifting and sliding
• Close and lock doors and windows every time you leave your home
• Install a peephole viewer in your door
• Have your locks re-keyed every time you move into a new house or apartment
• Know your neighbors and work out a mutual watch and warning system to prevent burglaries and other break-ins
• Use automatic timers to turn indoor lights on and off to give the appearance you are home
• Identify your belongings by engraving your driver's license number on your possessions
• Stop mail and other deliveries when you are gone for any length of time, or have a trusted neighbor pick them up for you
• If you live in an apartment, be attentive, and be careful if you are alone in the laundry room or garage, especially late at night
• Do not automatically open your door
• Make sure you know who is on the other side before you open it
• Insist on identification from repair and sales persons
• If in doubt, call their company for identification or look up the company name and phone number in the phone book
• Do not admit persons asking to use your telephone
• If you come home and find a door or window open or signs of force, do not enter; Call the police for assistance
• Don't hide spare keys; Give keys to trusted neighbors

Remember: Do not hesitate to call the police if someone or something looks suspicious!

For more information contact the Crime Prevention office at (909) 596-1913 or crimeprevention@lvpd.org