“Neighborhood Crime Watch Program”

 

We are circulating this petition with the desire to get a “Neighborhood Watch Program” in our neighborhood.  In order to achieve this we must have at least 50% of the residents of each street sign that they desire this action. Neighborhood Crime Watch programs are one of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce or eliminate fear.  Neighborhood Watch programs help to forge bonds among neighbors.

 

Upon completion of required signatures the Jupiter Police Department’s Community Activities Unit helps train members in home security, reporting skills, and provides information on local crime patterns. The group then must select a Chairperson, Co-Chairperson and Block (Street) Coordinators.

 

Responsibilities are:

            Chairperson:

Ø      Chief motivator of the committee and entire program

Ø      Oversees all phases of Neighborhood Watch Program

Ø      Supervises activities and communications of the program

Ø      Provide the police department with a membership list of the neighborhood (Update and maintain as residents move in or out of our neighborhood)

Ø      Maintains liaison with police department representative

Co-Chairperson:

Ø      Assists chairperson in all phases of duties

Ø      Assumes responsibilities of chairperson in their absence

Street Coordinators:

Ø      Encourage neighborhood participation in the program

Ø      Disseminate information from the chairperson or from the police department

Ø      Provide the Chairperson with a list of membership for their street. (Update and maintain as residents move in or out of our neighborhood)

Ø      Keep a list of all persons on their street who wish to participate in the program.

Ø      Assist the Chairperson with all meetings

Ø      Assist members with Neighborhood Watch techniques

Ø      Provide incentive for block members to continue their crime prevention efforts.

Ø      Relay information on community problems and suspicious activity to the police department liaison officer.

The Street Coordinators have one of the most important functions in the Neighborhood Watch Program.  They are responsible to supervisor the citizen participants who join the group.  The duties of the street coordinator do not require a significant change in their lifestyle.  The job provides an opportunity to meet your neighbors and help make your community a safer place to live.

 

Minimum Requirement Guidelines:

v     Have a Chairperson (will provide the police department with a membership list and a request for signs.)

v     Have a Co-Chairperson

v     Have a Street (Block) Coordinator (for every street), a person who is willing to work directly with the police department on matters concerning the Neighborhood Watch Program in our neighborhood.

v     Neighborhood or Street must have a petition signed by at least 50% of the households expressing an interest in, and agreeing to participate in, a Neighborhood Watch Program.

v     We must conduct at least one meeting annually (can be done at regular Heights meeting) and have a good turn out of our membership in attendance to remain classified as active.

v     Our Neighborhood Watch Program will promote and participate in “Operation Identification”.

The Police Department can assist with the purchasing of the signs if they are not furnished.

(As large as our neighborhood is, we will more than likely have to purchase half of them.  In order to not clutter our neighborhood, The Jupiter Police will help us set signs in all the appropriate areas in relationship with the crime patterns of our neighborhood.)

 

Jupiter Police Department will continue to provide assistance to the leaders of our group by assigning an officer to act as liaison between the department and our group.  A Crime Prevention specialist will attend the Neighborhood Watch meetings to provide us with updated information on department activities, crime analysis, training lectures, etc.

 

If you would like our neighborhood or your street to be eligible for the Neighborhood Crime Watch Program then you must commit to taking an active role in the program.  We can have this program for our entire neighborhood if we have 50% participation, or we can have it by street if we have 50% of the residents of that street sign that they are interested and will participate.  Please indicate if you are willing to serve as a member on the Neighborhood Crime Watch.  If you are interested please e-mail or fax the attached form to NPBHeights@bellsouth.net or the Jupiter PD contact on the attached form.

 

Please join the Board Members and concerned neighbors of “Friends of The Heights” in helping to put a halt to crime in our neighborhood.