Want to know the best crime prevention tool ever invented? A good neighbor!
In fact, neighbors working together with law enforcement are one of the best crime-fighting teams around.
What is Neighborhood Watch?
Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program which enlists the active participation of residents in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime in their communities.
It involves:
neighbors getting to know each other and working together in a program of mutual assistance;
residents trained to recognize and report suspicious activities in their neighborhoods; and
implementation of crime prevention techniques such as home security, Operation Identification, etc.
Essentially it is: Neighbors looking out for each other!
Who can participate?
City residents, apartment dwellers, mobile home residents, young people, senior citizens, families, in summary . . . .YOU!
Why Neighborhood Watch?
Nationwide, millions of crimes are committed every year and the number is still growing.
There can't be a law enforcement officer on every corner, so citizen involvement is essential to combat crime.
By cooperating with each other and law enforcement, people can help fight crime in their community the most effective way - before it begins.
It's simple:
Use your eyes and ears and then your telephone.
If you spot something suspicious, call law enforcement immediately.
Are you doing it? Is your neighbor doing it? If not, then who is looking out for your neighborhood? Hopefully it isn't the guy who noticed that no one is taking notice of him!!
Many people think of neighborhood watch as a program for blighted or crime-ridden neighborhoods. While Orange does maintain a lower crime rate than most large cities, we still experience our share of crime. Most of it is property crime that might have been prevented.
How to get involved
Contact the Orange Police Department Crime Prevention Bureau and explain that you are interested in joining or starting a Neighborhood Watch group. Law enforcement personnel will make a presentation at your meeting that includes information specific to your area, as well as education on how and what to report to the police department.
For questions or information about this, contact the Crime Prevention Bureau at the following numbers:
Brad Beyer (714) 744-7327 Area west of Tustin Street
