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NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM · Started in 1972 by the National Sheriff’s Association · One of the oldest and best known crime prevention concepts in history, Neighborhood Watch was created to unite law enforcement agencies, private organizations, and individual citizens in a massive effort to reduce residential crime. · Funded by the National Sheriff’s Association and Gulf County Sheriff’s Department · Developed to enhance relationship from neighbor to neighbor (neighbors looking out for neighbors) · Gulf County Sheriff’s Department working with the local community to train, educate and communicate important topics to ensure the safety and security of our neighborhoods · Members learn how to make their homes & businesses more secure, watch out for neighbors and report activities that raise suspicions to the Sheriff’s Office
IMPORTANT WEB ADDRESS · www.usawatch.org This site is the new face of the Neighborhood Watch Program and has a host of great information. o Some printable security tools from this site § How To Protect Your Home § Home Security Inspection Checklist § Personal Property Identification Record § When You Are Away From Home § Keep Criminals Out Of Your Business
ACCOMPLISHMENTS OF THE GULF COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM · Held two public meetings with attendance of 40-70 neighbors at each. Meetings were attended by The Sheriff and County Commissioner · Implemented a Neighborhood Watch Committee which meets monthly at the Evan Williams Community Center (Gulf County Beach Fire House in St Joe Beach on Alabama Ave) o All committee members are volunteers · Implemented the Beach Watch which covers from St Joe Beach (Sunset Villages, east) to Beacon Hill, (Gulf County line) · Implemented a Media Communication Plan · Gulf County has posted the Neighborhood Watch sign in St Joe Beach and Beacon Hill areas · Highland View had it’s first Neighborhood Watch Organizational meeting on March 4 2008 at 7:00 pm at the Highland View Fire Station
SOME OF THE FUTURE GOALS OF THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM · Recruitment of neighbors to the program · Block Program · Communicate important information to neighbor by telephone systems such as the reverse 911 or phone blast systems · Adding Neighborhood Watch signage to Hwy 98 running east and west from St Joe Beach to Beacon Hill · Evaluation of security & safety concerns within our communities · Annual Night Out held the 1st Tuesday in August · Identification Kits for area children, photos, fingerprinting/DNA · Safe House Program for area children
· This program will be the foundation of the Neighborhood Watch Program · Recruit Block Team Leaders that will cover community areas such as, St Joe Beach, Gulfaire, Beacon Hill and any new areas that join the Gulf County Sheriff’s Neighborhood Watch · Block Team Leaders will be a liaison between the Block Captains and the Watch Committee · Block Team Leaders will be responsible for o Recruiting the Block Captains, along with maintaining contact information o Identifying the coverage of the Block Captains o Work in junction with others to train and educate the Block Captains and neighbors on techniques to deter crime in our communities. o Help implement the communication systems between Law Enforcement and the neighbors · Block Captains will be a liaison between the neighbors and the Block Team Leader · Block Captains will be responsible for o Recruiting current and new neighbors to the Watch Program, along with maintaining contact information o Receiving feedback from the neighbors that can be shared with the Committee and Sheriff’s Department o Help in setting up the communication within their block o Help in the training and educating neighbors on crime prevention
· Contact the Gulf County Sheriff’s Office at 850-227-1115 · We can help you with arranging your first community meeting, setting up a Committee, posting signage within your area and help implementing your training.
YOUR ROLE & SUPPORT AS A NEIGHBOR IN THE WATCH PROGRAM · The Neighborhood Watch Group is not vigilantes. They are extra eyes and ears for reporting crime and helping neighbors. · Take an active role in helping to prevent crime in Gulf County · Add the Sheriff’s Department number to your phone 850-227-1115 or in emergency dial 911 · Know and support your Block Captain · If you do not know you neighbors, get to know them and communicate with them · Watch out for your neighbors and report anything that may be suspicious to the Sheriff’s Office and your Block Captain · Be observant, if it does not look right, report it · 4 W’s: Who, What, Where & When, try your best to remember details of what you saw · Describe the suspect: sex, race, age, height, weight, hair color, clothing, distinctive characteristics such as a beard, hair length, mustache, scars accent, etc · Describe the vehicle if one was involved: color, make, model, license plate, stickers, dents, ect
Gulf County Sheriff's Office
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