Community Involvement: It Takes A Village and a Neighborhood Watch Program

Many have said police do nothing, but this is far from the truth. Others believe they are targeted by police, and prefer to have no involvement whatsoever. 

Scenario: You see a suspicious looking car or person in your neighborhood for what appears to be a long period of time. What should you do?

1.    Call police and report a “suspicious vehicle or person” in your neighborhood.

• It is not your job to determine if any crime is being committed, but you have a right as a citizen to report suspicious activity.
• You are not trained as a police officer, or working for the police department, so let the experts do what they do best. Police will determine the appropriate action.
• Give the 911 operator your name and number for further information, and indicate if you wish to meet with an officer. You are not required to meet if you feel threatened, but they will need to contact you for your personal knowledge of your complaint.

2. Keep a watchful eye.

• Once you have reported to police, keep an eye out in the event the person exits their vehicle, or leaves the area. 
• Get a tag number and descriptions of cars and persons, but only from a safe distance IF you are able. Under NO circumstances should you make yourself visible or confront a suspicious person or vehicle.

3.  Call your Neighborhood Watch Block Captain or Coordinator.

• Also call your surrounding neighbors within view of the suspicious vehicle/person so everyone is aware you have already reported, and so they, too, can keep an eye out.

Your watchful eye, and gathered information, are a tremendous help to police to further their investigation. They simply cannot be everywhere all the time. Many police departments are cutting back due to our economy. Additionally, if no reports are made to police of criminal activity, police do not “see” the problems. They have no reason to increase patrols or get involved in your community if you do not appear to have problems. Even if the crime is already committed (such as a burglary, auto break-in or vandalism), police will make an incident report to add to their statistics which may help with other, open, investigations, as well help to increase their awareness of problems in your neighborhood. The Squeaky Wheel Gets The Oil.

FAQs

1. I’m afraid if I report a crime, the neighbors will see the police at my home and target me in the future. Be sure to state to the 911 operator you fear of retaliation and give your name and number.
2. I didn’t actually see any crime committed, but this guy walking up and down the street in the middle of the night seems suspicious and we don’t know him. Police will patrol and look for the man (be sure to give the best description possible) and stop and question him. They may call you for more information.
3. The police never do anything, why should I call? Police respond to reported incidents. Those reports are triaged by level of emergency. Response times are governed by that as well as volume of incidents in progress at the time of your call.
4. I’ve had a bad experience with police, and don’t want to get involved. This is a decision you will need to make based on how you feel about what is happening in your neighborhood. If you’re uncomfortable calling police, but a neighbor has seen what's happening, perhaps you can ask your neighbor to call.
5. How can I get a Neighborhood Watch Program started in my neighborhood? Call your police department. Here’s the link: http://web.co.dekalb.ga.us/DK_Police/pol-neighbor-watch.html