NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

Our Neighborhood Watch

We have thirteen Neighborhood Watch areas in the Mediterrania area (240 homes).  If you are not receiving crime alerts or the Neighborhood Watch newsletter, it is probably because you are not a member of Neighborhood Watch.  If this is the case, please ask your neighbors who your block captain is and join Neighborhood Watch. By participating in the Neighborhood Watch program, you will get crime alerts in a timely manner and not only avoid having crooks take advantage of you, but also possibly avoid being a victim of a more serious crime.

Following is a description of the RPV Neighborhood Watch program.

WHAT IS NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH? Neighborhood Watch is a proven and effective means of reducing crime. The concept is based on neighbors working together with law enforcement to curtail crime. Over 85% of our city’s single family homes are in an organized program resulting in a dramatic drop in crime in those areas. We have seen a measurable difference in crime rates between areas in an organized program, and those without such a program. This is because neighbors report all suspicious activities to the police, network all crime activity and mutually watch out for each other. In 2002, our city was named the seventh safest city in California with a population of under 100,000.

COMMUNICATION SYSTEM: As a member of an organized Neighborhood Watch, your street is part of a city-wide crime prevention network and warning system. An Area Coordinator liaisons with Neighborhood Watch, the Sheriff’s Dept., and Block Captains. Crime warnings are phoned or E-mailed to Block Captains who, in turn, disseminate to Block Assistants and other participating residents. This network is used in the following ways:

• To alert residents of current city-wide crime activity and suspicious persons.
• To alert residents of crimes in their own area.
• To notify residents of suspicious or missing persons who may be in their area.
• To alert residents of phone and other scams.
• To provide for emergency preparedness.
• To hand-deliver our newsletters which give you up-to-date information on crime trends and activity.

WHAT IS YOUR ROLE IN MAKING THE PROGRAM SUCCESSFUL?

• GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS ~ Neighborhood Watch makes up a Block List of the names, addresses and phone numbers of your neighbors. This information is optional and confidential and is never given out to anyone except your own neighbors. We also encourage blocks to have yearly potlucks or get-togethers.

• WATCH OUT FOR STRANGERS ~ Report any suspicious people that are parked in your area, driving around, or knocking on your door looking for someone else or asking for work. They may be casing your neighborhood to see who is home. Make a habit of writing down descriptions of suspicious people and cars, including license plates. If you have a feeling that something doesn’t look right, please call 539-1661, your local Sheriff’s Station, and ask them to investigate.

• KEEP ALL DOORS, WINDOWS AND GARAGE DOORS LOCKED WHEN YOU ARE NOT HOME ~ Burglars steal items from open garages in 30 seconds. They pry open or smash glass patio doors, and steal your jewelry even before an alarm company can respond. Hide jewelry outside of your bedroom. Engrave your California Driver’s License number on electronic equipment, which better assures its return to you.

• PROTECT YOUR AUTO FROM THEFT ~ Put a C.A.T. (Combat Auto Theft) decal on all autos not stored inside garages. These are available free from our Sheriff’s Dept. These decals deter potential car thieves and carjackers because they allow any law officer to stop the car between the hours of 1 A.M. and 5 A.M. (when most autos are stolen), and identify if the rightful owner is driving. We have never had a car stolen with this decal on its window!

• WATCH OUT FOR ILLEGAL SOLICITORS (See our Scam Page for More info) ~ All known solicitors, whether legal or illegal, are networked to members. Every solicitor, even those with a non-profit organization, must carry a Letter of Authorization, which names the solicitors and gives the permitted time of day for soliciting, and expiration date. Solicitation is not allowed at any home where a "No Solicitors" sign is displayed. Ask for this letter and do not do business with anyone that does not have it in his/her possession. Notify your Block Captain of all suspicious solicitors.

• REPORT ALL CRIMES, NO MATTER HOW SMALL ~ Sheriff Dept. computers track crimes and criminals, even parts of license plates. Unreported crimes skew the real statistics and could result in your area receiving less patrol activity than it deserves. If crimes are not reported, neither deputies or residents are going to be aware. After you notify the Sheriff’s Dept. (539-1661) of a crime or a suspicious activity, notify your block captain so that he/she can alert the other neighbors. Your exact name and address will not be made known, but the nature of the crime and the area may facilitate faster apprehension of the criminal.

• IDENTITY THEFT ~ This is the fastest growing crime in our city. Never give out personal information over the phone, mail, or Internet. Shred all personal documents. Never give out your Social Security number. And be alert for mail theft, which is now very common. Avoid putting outgoing mail in your mailbox, and have a neighbor pick up your mail if you will be gone. Never put the mailbox flag up! Many identity fraud cases start with theft of checks, bank statements and credit cards from mailboxes.

• VACATION ~ Notify a close neighbor when you go on vacation. Since 1992, we have only had two burglaries of Neighborhood Watch members on vacation, both of which occurred when residents failed to notify their neighbors of their absence.

• SUPPORT YOUR BLOCK CAPTAIN AND ASSISTANTS ~ These people are the life-blood of your Neighborhood Watch. Without them, the program dies and you will lose all contact with Neighborhood Watch, your neighbors and the Sheriff’s Dept. Offer to help as a Block Assistant, and attend neighborhood activities. Remember, an effective neighborhood watch is one in which all neighbors contribute.

SUMMARY ~ Building walls around our lives and our property hasn’t given us more sense of safety or peace of mind. On the other hand, people in our city have learned that tearing down walls and building bridges of trust between neighbors and law enforcement has greatly added to their peace of mind and quality of life. After all is said and done, it is the community and our neighborhoods working together who have made the difference in the quality and safety of our lives. Please support Neighborhood Watch!  You never know when knowledge of a crime will prevent you becoming a victim.

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*To Join Neighborhood Watch or for more information, please contact Gail (rpvnw@ix.netcom.com)

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