WHAT IS NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH ?
A Neighborhood Watch does not mean prying or nosy neighbors who
try to stop criminals all by themselves.
As
a member, your responsibility is to call the police and report what you've
seen, NOT to take action yourself.
Remember, neighborhoods
are made up of people who have the power to protect each other's safety.
By reporting any suspicious circumstances to law enforcement agencies,
members of a Neighborhood Watch actually increase their own safety.
The Sheriff's Department cannot fight crime they do not know about.
When alert citizens keep them informed, the police
are far more affective against crime and citizens have better protection
and safer neighborhoods.
IF I SEE SOMETHING SUSPICIOUS WHAT
SHOULD I DO?
As
a member of Neighborhood Watch, it will be your responsibility to call
the police about suspicious activities in your neighborhood. You
and your fellow members should report any unusual situations such as:
A stranger entering a neighbor's home or apartment that appears
to be unoccupied.
Anyone looking into parked cars or removing parts,
gasoline, or license plates from a car.
Anyone entering or leaving a place of business after
hours or loitering outside.
Breaking glass, gunshots, screams or dogs barking
excessively.
Anyone loitering around the neighborhood, schools,
or parks.
Anyone going door-to-door who tries to open a door
or goes into a backyard.
Anyone carrying unwrapped property at any unusual
time or running while carrying property.
Any vehicle cruising slowly back and
forth on your street.
Any abandoned vehicle on your street.
Windows or doors recently broken at a home or business.
Anyone sitting in a parked car, especially at an
unusual hour.
BE PREPARED WHEN CALLING
IN AN EMERGENCY.
The following will be typical questions asked by the 911 operator.
What happened? where? when? how? who did it?
If a vehicle was involved, what was the license
plate number? color? make? model? year?
Which way did it go when it left the scene?
How many people were in the vehicle? Were they armed?
What was their sex? race? age? height? weight? hair
color? clothing?
Any unusual characteristics?
Did they say anything?