Organizing a Neighborhood Watch

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" rowspan="2" width=150 BGCOLOR="#99CC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="03f8dfc3.jpg"> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=82 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0408dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#0099CC" FACE="Mistral" ><B>DaytonView Triangle Federation</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Mistral" ><B>  </B></FONT><B>   </B><B>|</B><B>     </B><A HREF="index.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="DaytonView Triangle Federation"><U><B>home</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id37.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Neighborhood Watch"><U><B>Neighborhood Watch</B></U></A><B>   </B><A HREF="id39.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="ABCs of Neighborhood Watch"><U><B>ABCs of Neighborhood Watch</B></U></A><B>   </B><A HREF="id40.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Organizing a Neighborhood Watch"><U><B>Organizing a Neighborhood Watch</B></U></A></div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=398 colspan=2 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="0408dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I><B>NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH </B></I></div> <bR> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="06e3c860.png" border=0 width="316" height="134" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></I></div> <div> <I>THE FIRST BLOCK MEETING: WHAT TO EXPECT!</I></div> <bR> <div> People must become comfortable with each other before important subjects can be addressed.  Therefore, allow some time for socializing before you begin the meeting.</div> <bR> <div> Call the meeting to order and introduce yourself.</div> <bR> <div> Select a coordinator who would be responsible for organizing meetings and relaying information to members.</div> <bR> <div> Request that everybody present, including any guest speaker(s) introduce himself or herself.</div> <bR> <div> Provide a purpose for the meeting and a brief description of the particular problem.  Have someone take notes as to what was discussed.</div> <bR> <div> An attendance list listing the name, address, and phone number must be obtained for duplication and distribution at the next meeting.</div> <bR> <div> <B>WHAT MUST BE ACCOMPLISHED AT THE FIRST MEETING:</B></div> <bR> <div>             Each person must have a chance to express his/her opinions and concerns.</div> <bR> <div> Keep a list of the problems presented and note those that concern several people.</div> <bR> <div> The group must determine a course of action (at least the initial steps) and the specific tasks to be accomplished before the next meeting.</div> <bR> <div> Tasks selected at the first meeting should be fairly simple and should not require too much of any one person's time.  This will increase the number of people who participate and increase the chance that the job will get done (e.g. to have a stray dog removed from the neighborhood may require one person to call the Human Society).</div> <bR> <div> A time and place for the next meeting must be established.  Meetings should be held monthly or at least quarterly to keep the momentum going in your group.</div> <bR> <div> Suggest that there are others not present who would want to attend the next meeting and assign responsibility for notifying them. </div> <bR> <div> <B>NEIGHBORS LOOK FOR…</B></div> <bR> <div> Someone screaming or shouting for help or unusual noises.</div> <bR> <div> Someone looking into windows and parked cars.</div> <bR> <div> Property being taken out of houses where no one is at home.</div> <bR> <div> Cars, vans, or trucks moving slowly with no apparent destination, or without </div> <div> lights.</div> <bR> <div> Anyone being forced into a vehicle.</div> <bR> <div> A stranger sitting in a car or stopping to talk with a child.</div> <bR> <div> Abandoned cars.</div> <bR> <div> <B>REPORT THESE INCIDENTS TO THE POLICE DEPARTMENT.</B></div> <div> <B>  </B></div> <div> <B>TALK ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>HOW TO REPORT…</B></div> <bR> <div> 1. Give your name and address</div> <bR> <div> 2. Obtain the best description of the incident, person and location</div> <div> .</div> <div> <B>Remain Calm and notify the Police Department dispatches unit at 333-2677.</B></div> <bR> <div> Give specific details of the problem.  Answer all questions asked by the operator, they are designed to assist the responding officer(s) on how to approach the situation safely.</div> <div> Be willing to give your name and phone number so that officer(s) may contact you for further information.</div> <bR> <div> <B>DO NOT GET PERSONALLY INVOLVED - maintain a safe distance, where you can continue to observe, if feasible.</B></div> <bR> <div> Describe the suspect: Sex and Race, Age, Height/Weight, Complexion (light, medium, dark, tanned, freckles) Hair/Eye color, and Clothing.  Build (lanky, moderate stocky, thin heavy) Posture (slouchy, straight) Distinctive characteristics such as beard and or mustache (color, length, neatness) Teeth (missing, brownish, shiny, capped, straight) Ears/Hands (large, small, scarred, dirty, clean) Marks, Scars, or Tattoo(s) An Accent. or stuttering.   Also note glasses and other distinguishing characteristics - limping, unique/odd jewelry, missing fingers, etc.</div> <bR> <div> Describe the vehicle if one was involved: color, make, model, year, license plate, and special features such as stickers, dents, or decals.</div> <bR> <div> <B>FROM MARY BAKER:</B></div> <bR> <div> As a retired Crime prevention Officer, I have a significant amount of information and literature on personal safety, neighborhood watch, auto theft prevention and residential security surveys. If there is a subject pertaining to crime prevention, ask and I'll see if I can supply the information.  I will be happy to teach coordinators how to conduct security surveys or conduct a presentation to your watch group members.  I can be reached at 278-6114, if I'm not home, please leave a message.</div> <bR> <div> <B>TO REDUCE THE RISK OF A BURGLARY, I OFFER THE FOLLOWING </B><B>SAFETY TIPS:</B></div> <div> <B>                                           </B></div> <bR> <div> <B>INSTALL</B> a solid core  <B>Wooden door</B> or a                             <B>USE</B> timers for lights, radio or TV.                                  </div> <div> <B> Metal door</B> with a metal frame.                                                                          </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>INSTALL</B> double cylinder <B>Deadbolt</B>                                         <B>DEMAND </B>identification before admitting</div> <div> <B> Locks</B> on all entry doors.                                                            Salesmen or repairmen.</div> <div>                              </div> <div> <B>TRIM</B> back <B>shrubbery</B> that conceals                                       <B>WHEN strangers ask</B> to use your</div> <div> Doors or windows                                                                         Telephone, <B><U>do not</U></B> permit them to</div> <div>                                                                                                          enter... place the call for them.        </div> <div> <B>LOCK</B> all <B>doors</B> and <B>windows</B> even                </div> <div> When you're home. Make sure all</div> <div> Points of entry are locked securely                                            <B>DON'T</B> <B>leave</B> your <B>keys hidden</B></div> <div> Whenever you leave home, no                                                     around your doorway.</div> <div> matter how long you will be gone.</div> <bR> <div> <B>NEVER</B> automatically <B>open the door                                      IF YOU SEE</B> something suspicious,</div> <div> In response to a knock, even if you                                              call the police.</div> <div> Are expecting someone.</div> <bR> <div> <B>BE AWARE</B> - know your neighbor's                                           <B>BE COOPERATIVE</B> - </div> <div> <B>Routines </B>and keep an eye on their<B>                                           </B>talk to your neighbors.</div> <div> Home when they are away.</div> <bR> <div> <B>      HELP REDUCE THE RISK OF CRIME!          </B></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>