Neighborhood Watch

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WHAT IS NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH?

Since 1972, when the National Sheriffs’ Association implemented the program, Neighborhood Watch has meant neighbors looking out for each other, working on neighborhood problems, and making themselves safer. Members learn how to work with law enforcement and report suspicious activity to the police or sheriff’s office.

https://www.ncpc.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/neighborhood-watch-needs-you.pdf

Join or Start a Watch Group

Running a Neighborhood Watch Group

At the first meeting

Gather contact information from all attendees. (i.e. address, email address, phone)
A law enforcement representative will address neighborhood concerns and answer questions. They will provide instructions on maintaining a safe community and train residents on how to recognize and report suspicious activity. Information will be shared on how to strengthen home security.
Identifying and reporting suspicious activity. (see list below)
Show Neighborhood Watch video. (Coming Soon! - link to stream OCFD Neighborhood Watch video)
Contact OCSD’s crime prevention specialist Ryan Case by email at RCase@ocsheriff.gov and ask for assistance in conducting a meeting with the intended date and time of meeting.
Distribute flyers to houses in your area with location, time and date of first meeting. (link to proposed meeting form)

Annual follow-up meetings

Update neighborhood watch email list. Welcome new members.
Discuss neighborhood problems and concerns.
Law enforcement will supply Information on new programs and emergency preparedness.

Important Phone Numbers

Information that will assist OCSD

What happened? When did it happen? Where did it happen? Was anyone hurt?

Description of Persons: (Include clothing). When describing suspects, notice their age, race, sex, height and weight. Compare your own weight and height with the suspects. Pick out some unique characteristics (scars, nose, jewelry, etc.) that will help you identify the suspect in the future if need be.

Description of Vehicle: License number, make, model, color, any noticeable damage and direction of travel.

What is suspicious?

The effectiveness of a Police department’s crime prevention efforts is enhanced by active participation on the part of citizens. By calling to report suspicious persons or activity, you not only aid the Police, but you also help to make your community a safer place to live. Some people fail to call simply because they are not aware of activities that might be suspicious. Others may notice suspicious activity and hesitate to call for fear of being labeled a “nosey neighbor” or an “over-reactor.” Still others take it for granted that someone else has already called. We encourage you to call 9-1-1 (for emergencies) or (949) 770-6011 (non-emergency/dispatch) immediately when you observe suspicious activity. Do not worry about “bothering” them or worry about being embarrassed if your suspicions prove unfounded. Think instead about what could happen if you do not act.

Obvious things to watch for

Basically, anything that seems even slightly “out of place” or is occurring at an unusual time of day or night could be criminal activity.

Some of the most obvious activities to watch for and report include:

· A stranger entering your neighbor’s house when it is unoccupied (may be a burglar)

· A scream heard anywhere (might indicate a robbery or assault)

· Offers of merchandise at ridiculously low prices (could be stolen property)

· Anyone removing accessories, license plates or gas from a car

· Anyone peering into parked cars may be looking for valuables to take or even a car to steal

· Persons entering or leaving a business place after hours (could be burglars)

· Anyone forcing entrance into, or tampering with a residence/business/vehicle

· Gunshots heard in the neighborhood

"Not so obvious things" to watch for

Not every stranger who comes into your neighborhood is a criminal by any means. There are many perfectly legitimate door-to-door salesmen, repairmen, and servicemen moving around our neighborhoods all the time. But criminals do take advantage of this by assuming the guise of legitimate business representatives. After all, if a criminal “looked like a criminal,” no one would have any trouble spotting them. Check identification of all solicitors, meter readers, and repairmen prior to allowing entry into your home.

Be suspicious of:

Any alleged deliveryman with a wrong address or asking if someone else lives there.
If someone is going door-to-door in your neighborhood – watch them for a while. If, after a few houses are visited, one or more of the persons tries a door to see if it is locked, looks into windows or goes into a back or side yard, it could be a burglar. Such action is even more suspicious if one person remains in the front when this occurs or if there is a car following a few houses away. Call immediately, do not wait for the person to leave.
One or more juveniles walking through the neighborhood looking into automobiles, backyards, etc.
A person running, especially if carrying something of value.
Someone carrying property, especially if it is at an unusual hour, or in an unusual place, or if the property is not wrapped as if it was just purchased.
A person exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms. He/she may be injured, under the influence of drugs or needs medical or psychiatric assistance. This is a 9-1-1 call!
Lots of people or vehicles going to and from a certain residence, especially if it occurs on a daily or regular basis or during late/unusual hours. It could possibly be the scene of drug activities or a fence operation.
Any person taking a shortcut through a backyard may have just broken into your neighbor’s home.
Any vehicle moving slowly and without lights or following a course that appears aimless or repetitive in any location, particularly in areas of schools, parks and playgrounds. Occupants may be looking for places to rob or burglarize, or they could be drug pushers or sex offenders.
Parked, occupied vehicles containing one or more persons, especially if it is an unusual hour - they could be lookouts for a burglary in progress. Always try to obtain the license plate number and vehicle color (make & model if possible). · Vehicles being loaded with valuables if parked in front of a closed business or unattended residence - even if the vehicle is a legitimate looking commercial vehicle. More and more professional thieves are taking the time and trouble to customize their vehicles with special signs in order to move more freely without suspicion.
Apparent business transactions conducted from a vehicle especially around schools or parks. If juveniles are involved, it could mean a possible drug sale.
Persons being forced into vehicles, especially if it is juveniles or females, it may mean a kidnapping is in progress.
An abandoned vehicle parked on your block – it may be a stolen car.
Continuous repair operations at non-business locations could mean stolen property is being stripped, repainted or otherwise altered.
Open or broken doors or windows at a closed business or residence. If the owners are absent, it could mean a burglary is in progress or already completed.
A beam from a flashlight in a neighbor’s home, especially if the neighbors are away.
Persons wearing or carrying bloody clothing or objects could be a suspect or victim of a serious crime. This is a 9-1-1 call!
Persons making a quick change of vehicles may be attempting to elude the police or abandoning a stolen vehicle. While some, if not all, of the suspicious situations described above could have innocent explanations, the Police would rather investigate a crime-prone situation than be called when it is too late.

Your call could save a life, prevent an injury, or stop a criminal act. Be alert and don’t be afraid to call the Police.