Neighborhood Watch The key to success in any neighborhood watch program are the participants willingness to "look out for each other" and the ability of each individual participant to observe and recognize what is suspicious, then immediately reporting it. You may ask yourself, "why doesn't my local police department do this crime watch? The reason is that at any given time for every 7000 residents there is only one patrol officer on duty. Now, let's look at crime watch and the availability. The Neighborhood Watch participants are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, tremendously multiplies the effectiveness of any law enforcement departments effort to prevent crime. Therefore, it is important that participants learn to properly observe, recognize and report suspicious activity. What is Crime Watch? By participating in a program where "We look out for each other!" you can make a difference in attacking crime in your neighborhood or apartment complex. It is nothing more than neighbors looking out for neighbors. Who can participate? Anyone can get involved with a neighborhood crime watch. In fact everything should be involved. It is your neighborhood and your quality of life that is at stake. You must become a concerned citizen willing to get involved in improving your neighborhood. How can I get involved? You can start by contacting Officer Richard Ascoli at the West Warwick Community Officer Program at 822-9298 or the main office at 821-4323. There is plenty of literature on hand to get you and your group started in the right direction. What is the cost? The cost of this program is free and is one of many crime prevention programs offered through the West Warwick Police Department. What it will cost you is your time and commitment. That is a small price to pay to increase the safety and security of your home and neighborhood. Neighborhood Watch works like this: Neighbors join together to provide information about their households to one another with the aid of our crime watch data sheets. They then become vital participants in the program. Participants receive training in observation techniques and recognition skills in order to recognize suspicious activities. Upon seeing a suspicious activity or a crime participants immediately report their observation to the police or sheriff. Law enforcement responds and apprehends the suspect criminal. If the suspect is not caught in the act of committing the crime, your recognition of the suspect and your notes will be very vital. As a participant your cooperation with the police is rewarded by you having saved your neighbor's property or even their life. Neighborhood Watch begins with you knowing your neighbors. Our motto, "We look out for each other" means exactly what it says. As a participant, your ability to observe and recognize what is usual and what is unusual comes as a result of paying attention. This also means that you must pay attention to the everyday ordinary happenings that occur in your neighborhood or complex. As a vigilant neighbor, you are prepared to call the West Warwick Police Department when you suspect potential problems. You need to know: What all the addresses, styles and colors of houses in your neighborhood watch group. Who lives in each dwelling or apartment. What are their ages. What hours does each person work. When do the routine or domestic health workers come by. Who is elderly or informed. When are they going on vacation. Who may be into drugs or gangs. Who are dependable neighbors and who are not. Who just moved in the apartment complex. Top 10 Tips for Homeowners The following tips are intended to help homeowners secure your residences from burglars. Keep all doors and windows closed and securely fastened. An open door or window is an open invitation for burglars. Thieves are also quick to spot weak locks that my easily be forced open. Door should have deadbolt locks with a 1" throw and reinforced strike plate with 3" screws. All windows should have window locks. Secure sliding glass doors. Place a metal rod or piece of plywood in the track and install vertical bolts. These will help prevent burglars from forcing the door open or lifting it off the track. Always lock the door to an attached garage. Don't rely on your automatic garage door opener for security. Create the illusion that you are home by using timers on lights, radios and TVs. Making your residence appear occupied, even when no one is home will deter criminals. Keep the perimeter of your home well lighted. Installing low voltage outdoor lighting is a cost-effective way to discourage intruders, as well as highlight a house. Never leave clues that you are away on a trip. Have a trusted neighbor collect mail and newspapers while you are away so delivered items do not accumulate. You can also ask a neighbor to park in your driveway or parking place to make it appear that you are present. Keep some shades and blinds up and curtains open to maintain a normal everyday appearance in your residence. Never leave a message on your telephone answering machine telling people that you are away from entrances and walkways. While large, ornate hedges may be beautiful, they also provide a hiding place for burglars who need only a minute to break in through a door or window. Organize a community watch program to protect your neighborhood. An alert community is a safe community.