A community approach to crime prevention

The purpose of this information is to tell you how the Neighborhood Watch Program works and how to organize and maintain a successful program. Neighborhood Watch promotes citizens involvement in discouraging and preventing residential and property crime.

The Program Uses Citizen Involvement to:

  • secure their own homes and personal property
  • report any suspicious activity to the Sheriff’s Office
  • Increase public awareness through education.

Since its creation, it has brought a dramatic drop in the local residential crime rate.

Neighborhood Crime Facts

  • Burglary, auto theft, rape, child molestation, and arson are the most prevalent neighborhood crimes.
  • Household burglary is one of the easiest crimes to commit and prevent, but one of the hardest to solve.
  • Over one-half of Law-Enforcement’s time is spent on investigating burglaries.
  • Most home burglars are young amateurs and looking for easy targets.
  • Statistics show that a large number of household burglaries are by non-forced entry.
  • A majority of household burglaries occur during daylight hours.
  • Household burglary has a high potential for death and/or injury in cases where a burglar is surprised by the homeowner.
    Fort Bend County Criminal Statistics

Neighborhood watch operates to educate participants in the principles of:

  • Deterrence
  • Delay
  • Detection

The Program depends on a communications network organized with four levels of participants:

  • Residents
  • Section Coordinators
  • Block Captains
  • Local Law-Enforcement Representative

Vigilante Actions are in No Way Condoned by the Neighborhood Watch Program.
No One is asked to take Personal Risks and/or be a Hero.

Organizing a Program

  • Visit your neighbors and tell them you are interested in discouraging crime in the neighborhood. Ask for help toward this goal.
  • Organize a neighborhood meeting, and contact the Fort Bend County Crime Prevention representative and address the group. The phone number is 281-238-1536.
  • Elect Block Captains and Section Coordinators.
  • Block Captains should prepare a watch map listing, which includes names, addresses, telephone numbers, and license plate numbers and vehicle descriptions, for each residence in their block.
  • Fifty percent and/or participation are recommended!
  • Each homeowner must schedule a home security inspection. (Passing the inspection will qualify the homeowner to receive up to a 20% reduction off their homeowners insurance).
  • Section Coordinators must provide the Sheriff’s Office with the names, addresses, and phone numbers of all block captains.
  • Each Group must provide funds for the Crime Watch Signs, stickers, and engravers.
    • Since awareness and involvement are the keys to a successful program, keeping interest high and continuing the groups Crime Prevention Education must be a primary focus of all participants.

Specific Duties

Block Captains/Section Coordinators:

  • Schedule periodic group meetings and encourage each homeowner to attend.
  • Coordinators are required to forward minutes of each crime watch meeting to the crime prevention deputy
  • Act as a liaison between homeowners and the Sheriff’s Office.
  • Invite your Crime Prevention Deputy to address the group on other crime prevention programs.
  • Coordinate home security inspections and Operation Identification.
  • Contact new neighbors about the program.
  • Keep the watch map data current.

Residents (Homeowners):

  • Attend the program meetings and read the newsletters.
  • Secure your homes and personal property. Follow the recommendations from the security inspection and participate in Operation Identification.
  • Be Alert to Suspicious Activity and Report it Immediately to the Fort Bend County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch.
    • Neighborhood Crime Watch is a proven crime reduction program, but like any self-help activity, its success depends upon YOU and YOUR NEIGHBOR!

 

 

 

Dial 9-1-1 for emergencies only
Non-emergencies 281-341-4665
To report a crime tip 281-341-4686 281-342-TIPS(8477)