Crime Watch

The Crime Watch program is a community based program that's been proven to deter crime. Crime Watch is a group of neighbors working together along with law enforcement agencies and local organizations in a community-wide effort to reduce residential crime.

Getting to know your neighbors and becoming familiar with your neighbors' habits and vehicles allows you to know when something is suspicious or out of the ordinary.

Crime Watch does not mean being a vigilante. Participants do not confront suspects or take any personal risks at all!

Always report any suspicious activities and crime to 9-1-1!

For Everything you need to know about starting and operating a Crime Watch see links below:

Crime Watch Executive Board (CWEB)

CWEB acts as a liaison between members of the community and the Dallas Police Department (DPD). In doing so, this allows for the maximization of the effectiveness of crime prevention efforts by providing support and education.

For more information please email: CWEB

https://dallascweb.org

National Night Out (NNO)

NNO is an annual Crime Prevention Event held across the Nation in August of each year. Individual neighborhoods host block parties with the focus of reducing crime by getting to know your neighbors. Check the Dallas Police Calendar for NNO events near you. The City of Dallas will host NNO on October 5, 2021.

CRIME WATCH BEST PRACTICES

• Welcome packets should be distributed to new residents that include crime watch information and invitation to participate. The following websites should be listed:

• Dallas Police www.dallaspolice.net
• National Crime Prevention Council www.ncpc.org
• National Association of Town Watch www.nationaltownwatch.org
• Community Emergency Response Team https://dallascityhall.com
  
• iWatch Dallas http://dallas.iwatch911.us/
• Nextdoor www.nextdoor.com

• Remembering to leverage existing organizations and associations such as garden clubs, Parent-Teacher Associations, Homeowner Associations, and business groups.

• Introduce CRIME WATCH partnerships to Faith-based institutions.

• Ensure effective presentations at CRIME WATCH events tailored "SPECIFICALLY" to the neighborhood's needs.

• Expand the use of enhanced email lists and social media platforms such as Nextdoor.com

• Use of personal telephone calls (utilizing senior citizens/retirees) for notification of meetings and events. Establish phone trees.

• Building essential partnerships with apartment complexes and business to become members of the neighborhood community – can assist in the production of flyers/newsletters.

• Organize events as block parties, cleanups, or graffiti removal.

• Encourage neighbors to get involved in additional services as Volunteers in Patrol, Citizens Offering Police Support, or Citizens Helping in Parking Solutions.

• Youth Crime Watch – encourage students to report crimes in their schools and neighborhoods will discourage criminal activity. Increase presentations at colleges, high schools (student councils), and charter schools.

• Leverage neighborhood youth to assist with social media management, neighborhood quality-of-life projects, and/or solicitation of local donors.

• Continually encourage ride-along opportunities for crime watch members to develop closer contact with DPD.

• Quarterly Crime Watch chairperson meetings…networking is essential.

• Understand the hierarchy of information neighborhoods want….crime alerts/postings versus social information. Postings should include success stories.