Neighborhood Watch

General Information

Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program designed for the Flagler Beach residential community. The program is operated by neighbors and is sponsored by the Flagler Beach Police Department. The object of the Neighborhood Watch Program is to organize groups of neighbors and teach them the necessary steps to reduce the opportunity to crime.

Neighborhood Watch is not any of the following:

1. a vigilante force working outside the normal procedures of the local police department
2. a 100% guarantee that crime will not occur in your neighborhood
3. a program designed for participants to undertake personal risks to deter crime

There are three elements necessary for a crime to occur:

1. Opportunity: You have created a situation for a burglar or attacker to choose your residence or person. By this we mean that you have left a garage door open; a window ajar; inadequate lighting around your house that creates concealment, etc. This is the ONLY aspect Neighborhood Watch can control!
2. Desire: The criminal desires to hit your property as you’ve set him up to do so! Desire is based on opportunity; and also the criminal’s financial or drug need. (Neighborhood watch cannot affect this).
3. Ability: The criminal has the ability to break in or burgle you as he or she sees the opportunity (neighborhood watch cannot affect this).

How Neighborhood Watch Works

Neighborhood Watch is a group of neighbors who believe that fighting crime is every citizen’s responsibility. Each person agrees that they are responsible for taking care of themselves and to remove any obstacles that could hinder their safety and well-being; as well as that of their neighbor.

When you start a neighborhood watch group, you will get to know your neighbors better.

In a short time, everyone will know the working habits of their neighbors – who has dogs, how many children in the family, what cars people own. You will also learn who in your neighborhood has valuable skills to contribute, such as CPR Training. When you know these things, it becomes easier to spot suspicious people and identify vehicles that are not normally in the neighborhood.

If everyone participates, Neighborhood Watch can reduce crime and make the neighborhood a safer place to live.

Making Neighborhood Watch Effective

Neighborhood Watch will be as effective as you and your neighbors choose to make it. If you apply some effort into maintaining one, your Neighborhood Watch can be an effective deterrent to criminal activity in your area. The Neighborhood Watch signs that should be purchased and posted throughout your neighborhood will also act as a deterrent. These signs will mean a lot if your group stays active and involved! Along with the signs the Flagler Beach Police Department will provide, free of cost, Neighborhood Watch window decals and a Participants Handbook for each household. (Coming Soon)

Participants Responsibility

1. Learn your neighbor’s names and contact numbers (cell, work, home). Be able to recognize them and their vehicles without any hesitation.
   Attend all the Neighborhood Watch meetings.
2. Keep a copy of all your Neighborhood Watch information in an easily accessible, secure place and continually update it with an new information provided by your Block Captain.
3. Implement all security measures suggested by your local police department.
4. Learn the techniques of getting an accurate description of a suspect or a vehicle. Practice describing people and vehicles.
   Keep an eye on your neighbor’s homes and report any suspicious activities to the police department.
5. Post neighborhood watch window stickers and signs.
6. When you plan to leave for any length of time, arrange to have your mail and newspapers picked up. Do not put a hold on your mail or newspaper…that only lets people know you will be gone for a certain time period! Timers should be activated for your lights.
7. If you are leaving home for an extended period of time, notify your neighbors and the block captain you are going away so added attention can be placed on your home.
8. Get Involved! Look out for each other! Be a good witness with written notes. Participate in your neighborhood Watch Program and neighborhood association.

Protect your property by engraving your Florida Driver’s license or ID number into your property. DO NOT USE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER! Using this simple technique, you can make it easy for police to identify your property if your home is burglarized or your property is stolen.

Please help the Flagler Beach Police Department by joining together and forming a Neighborhood Watch. Your eyes and ears will help the police in their everyday fight against crime!

Setting up a Neighborhood Watch Group

1. Start out small and expand!
2. Poll your neighbors to find out what day of the week (Monday through Thursday) and time are the best for the majority. Do not pick an exact date!
3. After determining the best day and time please contact a Crime Prevention Officer with the Flagler Beach Police Department to schedule an exact date for a meeting that will work for everyone.
4. Make sure that the location you have chosen for the meeting will be able to accommodate everyone.
5. After the meeting date and time has been confirmed with the Crime Prevention Officer, make up a flyer, call, or send out an e-mail to let all your neighbors know when and where the meeting will be.
6. Ask people to RSVP so you know how many to expect.

 

To set up a Neighborhood Watch group in your area please contact a Crime Prevention Officer with the Flagler Beach Police Department.

Please note, we are still in the process of creating the NWP (Neighborhood Watch Program), please be patient during this time.