Introduction to Neighborhood Watch. Becoming a Watchful Community

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1 Introduction to Neighborhood Watch Becoming a Watchful Community

Deputy Charles Skipper Crime Prevention & Community Awareness Unit cskipper@pcsonet.

2 Deputy Charles Skipper Crime Prevention & Community Awareness Unit Pinellas County Sheriff s Office Sheriff Bob Gualtieri (727) pcsoweb.com

3 The Neighborhood Watch Program Began in Los Angeles in the 1960s to combat high burglary rates - Police cannot be everywhere 24/7 - Citizens are needed to be eyes and ears - Observe and report criminal activity Adopted by National Sheriff s Assoc in 1972 (Bennett, 2008; FBI)

4 What is Neighborhood Watch Community - A group of people having the same interests. A neighborhood Watchful Alert and vigilant. Watching closely. Paying careful attention (Source: Merriam Webster Dictionary)

5 Crime Prevention Team Members +

6 What is a Watchful Community? It is a community of residents, while going about their normal activities, who commit to: Knowing who their neighbors are Watching out for each others property and houses Being alert to potential criminal activity Reporting it to law enforcement Taking ownership in the community Increasing communication among residents You are our eyes and ears on the street

7 It is NOT a group of vigilante residents

8 It is NOT invading residents privacy

9 Crime Triangle Neighborhood Watch helps remove the opportunity

10 Why is a Watchful Community Important Link between high crime rates & socially disorganized areas. Opportunity created by criminal and victim - Criminal is motivated, skilled, daring - Victim is careless, lacks attention to security and fails to cooperate with neighbors Social networks must be activated before effectively addressing community problems. - Neighborhood cohesion - Willingness to intervene (Sampson et al, 2008)

11 Crime Prevention First Starts With You Lock car doors and put belongings out of sight. Lock down garage doors. Lock the house doors and turn on the alarm when you leave. Lock up bicycles, property and golf carts.

12 Then the Whole Community Watch out for your neighbor s house.

13 Know Your Neighbors Increases peace and security in a community

14 What does a burglar look like?

15 Burglary Research Findings In the U.S. a burglary happens every 15 secs Most happen in daytime when no one home between 10 & 3. Summer months have more burglaries Small valuable items most attractive Avg loss per burglary - $2,230. (FBI, 2012) Avg time inside home 8-12 minutes Garage door and back door easiest access but 34% enter through front door.

16 More Findings Burglars - Look for a vulnerable home - Try car doors (unlocked) - Case the neighborhood - Look for no signs of life in a house 74% of uncompleted burglaries a result of audible alarm Spend less than 60 secs breaking into a home Combinations of door and window locks plus lights provide 20 times greater protection than no security. (BJS, 2012; Security Journal 2014)

17 Interviews with 422 Burglars in Prison (Kuhns et al, 2013) Reason burglarized 88% drugs/ money Planned (12%) Saw opportunity (41%) Males burglarized late evening - females afternoon Alarms 60% would not burglarize if signs it was present Entry Most went in unlocked doors, open windows

18 What Did They Steal Males stole illegal drugs, cash and jewelry Females stole prescription meds

19 From the Mouth of Burglars 1. Lack of escape routes 2. Lack of hiding places 3. Other people around 4. Increased security measures deterred them from doing burglaries (Kuhns et al, 2013) 1. Alarms 2. Outdoor cameras 3. Outdoor lighting 4. Indications of a Neighborhood Watch Program were most effective in keeping crooks from doing burglaries while casing a neighborhood or house (University of NC, 2012)

20 What is Suspicious Activity A stranger loitering in your neighborhood or a vehicle cruising the streets repeatedly. Someone peering into cars or windows A high volume of traffic going to and coming from a home on a daily basis. Someone loitering around schools, parks, or secluded areas Open or broken doors and windows at a closed business or unoccupied residence.

21 More Suspicious Activity Someone tampering with electrical, gas or sewer systems without an identifiable company vehicle or uniform. Sounds of breaking glass, gunshots, screaming or fighting Strangers removing license plates or loading valuables into vehicles from a residence even if the moving truck looks legitimate. Strange odors coming from a house or building

22 Report Suspicious Activity Call 911 when you see or hear something suspicious happening right then If the crime is not in progress then call to report suspicious activity. You can also call Crimestoppers TIPS(8477) or Don t wait to report. You are not bothering us and you may help us catch a criminal.

23 911 Call Center

24 Pinellas County Sheriff s Office Pinellas County Public Safety Complex

25 Use the HALT method (top down) H HEAD (Height, Hair, Complexion, Eyes, Age, Glasses, Jewelry, Race, Voice) A ABS (Shirt, Weight, Build, Tats/Scars, Jewelry) L LEGS (Pants, Tats/Scars, Mobility) T TOES (Shoes, Feet)

26 Vehicle Description Color Year (old/new) Make, Model Body style (van, 4 door) Plate/Tag State, number, specialty Dents, Tint, Tires, Stickers Direction of Travel (DOT) Occupants

27 Additional Information to Provide Exact address (yours and incident location) Cross streets Landmarks Phone number Availability for statement Suspect known to you Ability to identify Cameras on site

28 Quotes from Interviews with 105 Convicted Burglars If you don t answer when I knock I try the door and walk in if unlocked. Leaving a window open or cracked is an invitation I like to drive or walk through neighborhoods at night, before blinds close, to see what you have I might come back and steal I m not complaining but why would you buy an alarm and not set it?

29 More Quotes from Burglars Sometimes I carry a clipboard, wear work clothes, carry a rake, or dress as a businessman to blend in so I don t look like a crook. I never go into kids rooms I always check dresser drawers, bedside table & medicine cabinet I might leave a pizza flyer on your door to see how long it takes you to remove it

30 Final Quotes from Burglars Thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was cutting your grass. I unlatched the back window to give me access when I returned I ll break a window to get in. If your neighbor hears a noise he will stop and wait to hear it again. If he doesn t he won t investigate further The 2 things I hate most loud dogs, nosy neighbors (Hartley, 2011; Wright et al, 1992)

32 Requirements for Neighborhood Watch Willingness to be alert and keep an eye on neighborhood Willingness to report suspicious activity to law enforcement Willingness to learn how to make your homes more secure Meet once a year or more often as needed

33 Thank you Pinellas County Sheriff s Office (727) Deputy Charles Skipper (727) cskipper@pcsonet.com Like us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter

Who is the face behind the mask? Researchers interviewed over 400 career burglars to compile information for this e-book to help us better understand

Who is the face behind the mask? Researchers interviewed over 400 career burglars to compile information for this e-book to help us better understand why property crime occurs and how you can use that