1. Neighborhood Watch

2. Presented by Greensburg Police Dept. Chief Walter Lyons Dr. John Scassellati Community Volunteer

3. Joining A Neighborhood Watch The facts, victims lose more than $ 400 million a year from no force burglaries alone! One in every twelve homes will be burglarized and it is estimated that more than one half of all home burglaries are committed during the day when alert neighbors could spot the thieves and call police. That’s a high price to pay for a crime that can be prevented. Reporting crime sounds easy, doesn't it? But only about half of all crimes are every reported, too bad, because police can’t do anything, if they don’t know what happened.

4. Joining A Neighborhood Watch Even an anonymous tip is better than no report at all. Information from people like you is the key to solving many crimes. Neighborhood Watch, Block Watch, Town Watch, Crime Watch– whatever the name, it’s one of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce fear. Neighborhood Watch fights the isolation that crime both creates and feeds upon. It forges bonds among area residents, helps reduce drugs, burglaries, robberies and vandalism. Improves relations between police and the communities they serve.

5. Joining A Neighborhood Watch Today’s transient society produces communities that are less personal. This life style tends to promote unfamiliarity with neighbors and a corresponding lack of concern. Many families have two working parents and children involved in many activities that keep them away from home. An empty house in a neighborhood where none of the neighbors know the owner, is a prime target for burglary. This condition dictates the need for a Neighborhood Watch Program.

6. Joining A Neighborhood Watch The program will improve neighborhood security, heighten the community’s power of observation and encourage mutual assistance and concern among neighbors. Neighborhood Watch works! Throughout the country, dramatic deceases in crime are reported by law enforcement professionals in communities with active Watch programs. Watch groups are the foundation of community crime prevention and a stepping stone to community revitalization.

7. The ABC’s of Neighborhood Watch Any community resident can join– young and old, single and married, renter and home owner. A few concerned residents, a community organization, or a law enforcement agency can spearhead the effort to organize a Watch. Members learn home security techniques, observation skills, accurate crime reporting, and educates residents about the types of crime to which the area is prone.

8. The ABCs of Neighborhood Watch You can form a Watch group around any geographical unit: a block, apartment, business area, or public housing complex. Watch groups are not vigilantes. They are extra eyes and ears for reporting crime and reporting suspicious activity to police. Neighborhood Watch helps build pride and serves as a springboard for efforts that address community concerns such as recreation for youth.

9. The ABCs of Neighborhood Watch A Neighborhood Watch program is your program and its is what you want it to be. It can be as simple as being observant and reporting crimes to home security surveys, operation identification, community clean-ups, cooperative lock and lighting projects, regular meetings, news letters, block parties as well as walking citizen patrols (i.e. Halloween).

10. 3 Ingredients of Crime DesireAbility Opportunity Desire + Ability + Opportunity = Crime The Crime Triangle

12. Pennsylvania Crime Clock One Violent Crime every 10 minutes 46 seconds. One Property Crime every 1 minute 36 seconds. –One Murder every 11 hours 54 minutes –One Rape every 2 hours 57 minutes –One Robbery every 23 minutes 46 seconds –One Aggravated Assault every 22 minutes 49 seconds –One Burglary every 8 minutes 24 seconds –One Theft every 2 minutes 26 seconds –One Motor Vehicle theft every 11 minutes 3 seconds –One Arson every 2 hours 36 minutes

13. What is “Suspicious Activity?” Examples –A stranger entering your neighbor’s house when it is unoccupied. –A scream heard anywhere may mean someone is in need of help. –Anyone removing accessories, license plates or gas from a vehicle. –Anyone peering into parked cars. –Persons entering or leaving a business place after hours. –Sounds of breaking glass or loud explosive noises. –Persons loitering around schools, bus stops or parks.

14. What is “Suspicious Activity?” –Persons loitering in neighborhood who do not live there. –Someone going Door-to-Door in you Neighborhood. –Vehicles cruising the neighborhood that do not belong there. –Apparent business transactions conducted from a vehicle, home or street corner. –Abandoned vehicles parked in the Neighborhood.

16. How should I make a report Call 9-1-1 for emergency’s or your police department at 724-834-3800. Give your name, address and phone #. Briefly explain what happened. Describe the suspect or suspects. Any weapons used if known. Describe a vehicle if one. Remain available if police need further information or assistance. www.greensburgpa.org (Police Dept. Web Page - Tips Page)

17. IT’S OKAY TO BE WRONG !

18. Getting Organized Forming a Neighborhood Watch is a challenge. Here are a few tips to get your group started. –Recruit members, keeping up-to-date on new residents and making special efforts to involve the elderly, working parents, and young people. –Select a coordinator and block captains who are responsible for organizing meetings and relaying information to members. –Contact the police for help in training members in home security and reporting skills and for information on local crime patterns. –Determine where and when meeting are to be held.

19. Getting Organized –How long will the meeting last, approx. 60-90 min. with presentation from Community Policing officer with discussion and questions. –How often to conduct meetings from monthly to quarterly. –Determine what you want the Neighborhood Watch to achieve. –Determine what duties you want the Neighborhood Watch to do. –Work with local government or law enforcement to put up Neighborhood Watch signs, usually after 50% of all house holds are enrolled.

20. What about Block Leaders Coordinator –Liaison with Community Policing Officer and coordinates with block captains and watch members. –Responsible for setting meeting, relating information to block captains and watch members. –Preside over Neighborhood Watch meetings and activities. –Maintains a list of neighbors including home & work phone numbers. –Acts as clearing house for information –Discourage “vigilante” action.

21. What about Block Leaders Block Captains –Organize residents in assigned area. –Maintains list of neighbors home & work phone numbers. –Keeps residents informed and interested. –Distribute crime prevention pamphlets and booklets. –Discourage “vigilante” action. –Other duties for Coordinator and Block Captains can be discussed after formation.

22. Neighborhood Watch Members Members duties –Be the eyes and ears of the police department. –Report crime or suspicious activities. –Do not be a vigilante. –Watch neighbors homes while away or on vacation. –Participate in operation ID, home security surveys and home security techniques. –Any other duties the Neighborhood Watch group wishes to participate in. –Attend meetings. –Encourage new residents to join Watch group.

23. Phone Tree System Each Block Captain should have no more than 8 to 10 residents under his or her phone tree

24. What are the Benefits? Reducing the risk of being a crime victim. Being better prepared to respond to a suspicious activity or crime. Greater access to criminal activity information for your area. Knowing your neighbors. Revitalizing your neighborhood. Learning crime prevention safety techniques.

25. What are the Benefits? Reducing the fear of crime, and making the neighborhood more liveable. Allowing other issues of community concern to be addressed. Neighborhood Watch signs posted in the neighborhood

26. Neighborhood Watch Conclusion Neighborhood Watch is all about being a good neighbor. Caring about your neighborhoods and your community. Discouraging criminal activity by being alert, observant and reporting crimes and suspicious activities to police. Consider if a Neighborhood Watch is right for you and your neighborhood.

27. QUESTIONS ?

28. Neighborhood Watch For Attending