October 18, 2016

What is Neighborhood Watch? Citizen involvement to discourage and prevent neighborhood crime Citizen involvement to secure their homes and personal property Neighbors reporting suspicious activity to police Law Enforcement assisting Citizens to organize their Neighborhood Watch Program

What does NW look like? Neighborhood Watch is the people that live on your street, not your block. i.e. – those that live in the 2000 blk of J St SW i.e. – those that live next door and across the street Neighborhood Watch is not the people that live in your subdivision. That would be a Neighborhood Association.

Neighborhood Watch IS being Mrs. Gladys Kravitz

Strong & Healthy Neighborhoods We all value a sense of security as a vital feature of the neighborhoods where we live. People are willing to join together to increase neighborhood safety. Neighborhood cohesion – neighbors who know and look out for each other – is among the strongest features of safer neighborhoods according to researchers at Harvard University.

Strong & Healthy Neighborhoods Safety and security is ranked one of the most essential human needs by psychologist Abraham Maslow. According to the 2016 National Citizen Survey of Cedar Rapids, “ Safety was identified as a top community focus area by Cedar Rapids residents… and they would like to see improvement.”

Benefits of Neighborhood Watch Unites the community and increases neighborhood cohesion Reduces fear of crime in the community Improves crime reporting by citizens Increases surveillance in the community Prevents and reduces crime Enhances homeland security

Benefits of Neighborhood Watch Studies show that Neighborhood Watch is effective because: It unites neighbors around a common goal – safety and security. It provides basic skills to all members on preventing crime and reporting suspicious activities or crimes. It builds a base for correcting neighborhood problems. It works well with other civic activities.

Cedar Rapids Burglary Facts

Top 5 items taken in Residential Burglaries 1. Electronics 2. Money 3. Jewelry 4. Weapons 5. Drugs (Prescription)

Organizing a Neighborhood Watch Organization Communications Visibility Partnership

Organization Visit your neighbors and tell them you are interested in discouraging crime in the neighborhood. Ask for help to accomplish this. Organize a neighborhood planning meeting/chair/coordinator/block captain. Identify different tasks that different residents can take on. There should be roles for everyone who wants to help.

Communications , phone tree, Facebook/Nextdoor, meetings, special outreach and partnering with other neighborhood groups. Prepare a neighborhood map, listing of names, addresses, phone numbers, license plate numbers, vehicle descriptions for each residence (or whatever the group deems important). Share the info with all.

Visibility Participate in Operation ID is required. Neighborhood Watch stickers can then be displayed in each participating residence and street signs can be erected.

Partnership Contact the Cedar Rapids Police Department for your initial Neighborhood Watch meeting. A Crime Prevention Officer will attend the first meeting to help kick off your program and talk about home security. Hold yearly meetings and call to document your meeting. A Crime Prevention Officer should attend every 3-4 years.

The First Meeting For a Successful First Meeting: Advertise the meeting in advance. Post invitations throughout the neighborhood. Make it brief (less than two hours) Arrange for a large enough meeting space, accessible to all. Establish purposes and objectives up front. Select a chair/coordinator, at least a temporary one.

The First Meeting con’t. Make it a team effort. Decide to address one or two important issues to start. Ask for volunteers and assign tasks. Agree on a meeting schedule. Contact the Crime Prevention Bureau to have an officer attend.

Crime Prevention Presentation The Crime Prevention Officer will talk about: What is Neighborhood Watch How to better secure your home (CPTED) Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Locks, Peep holes, Shrubbery, Lighting, Vacationing Operation ID How to recognize drug and illegal activity How to Report Criminal Activity Security Survey

Requirements Hold Yearly meetings Can be at a home/church/school/park/anywhere Mark your property with Operation ID At least 80% participating in the program Select a Captain/Co-Captain/Chair/Coordinator Contact Crime Prevention to record your yearly meeting Signs will then be installed when the requirements are met.

Operation ID Involves marking or engraving property with an identifying number and displaying a window decal to discourage burglary and theft. Operation ID should be an easily identifiable and traceable number. The identifying number SHOULD NOT be your social security number. Suggested number is now your State abbreviation & drivers license number. (IA 123ZZ4567)

Operation ID con’t. Inventory your marked property on a form with description including brand, model number and serial number. Keep it in a safe place. Video record or photograph your property. Mark property or valuables with your identifying number. Can be engraved, invisible marker or permanent marker. Display the Operation ID Decal on windows ONLY AFTER items have been marked.

How to keep your NW energized Host regular meetings Welcome new neighbors Block parties should include food!!!! Participate in community events National Night Out Turn on your light night

District Lieutenants East Side – Lt. Tim Daily, , rapids.org Central District – Lt. Cory McGarvey, , West Side – Lt. Tobey Harrison, ,

Crime Mapping

Resources Cedar Rapids Crime Prevention – Iowa Crime Prevention Association – National Crime Prevention Council – Iowa Sex Offender Registry – US Postal Service –

Questions? Officer Shannon Sampson – , Officer Glenn Kieler – , rapids.org Sgt. Cristy Hamblin – , rapids.org Crime Prevention Bureau –