Being a Good Neighbor Developing and Implementing Community Watch Programs

Being a Good Neighbor Developing and Implementing Community Watch Programs

WasteExpo 2013 New Orleans, LA May 20, 2013

Welcome to WasteExpo 2013Monday Educational Seminars

Welcome Reception (6:30 p.m.)Tuesday EIA Awards Breakfast (7:30 a.m.)

Exhibits Open (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)Educational Seminars

Wednesday Exhibits Open (10 a.m. to 5 p.m.)Educational SeminarsEREF Charitable Auction

Thursday EIA and FILA 5K Fun Run (6:30 a.m. registration)

Exhibits Open (10 a.m. to 1 p.m.)

Goals of today’s presentation:

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To help participants understand how relations between waste haulers* and law enforcement can be developed and strengthened to benefit the communities we serve.

To help participants think about creative community relations as a way to enhance their value within the community.

Provide participants with the tools needed to easily develop and implement a community watch program.

* Private and public.

Today’s Plan

National

Crime Prevention

Council

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Review law enforcement objectives

Discuss opportunities to develop a positive relationships with law enforcement

Describe the benefits of positive relationships with the community

Today’s Plan

Discuss step-by-step action items to develop and implement a program

Review some tips for success

Experiences with the police

There are about 700,000 police offices in the United States.

What is the police #1 job?

The basic mission of the police is to prevent crime and disorder.

Crime Prevention…the #1 job of law enforcement officials

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Deterrents to crime:Patrol Punishment (fines, imprisonment, probation, etc…)

Education and Community ProgramsNeighborhood WatchWeed and SeedMcGruff Crime stoppersAll programs that build bridges and enables residents and

law enforcement to communicate, collaborate, and work together to build safer, more caring communities.

We can easily be part of this!

Community crime prevention efforts reduce polarization that sometimes exists between police and citizens.

Share a common goal!

Community Watch

Dual purposes:1. Crime prevention – By enlisting truck

drivers and helpers from the solid waste and recycling industry to serve as an extra set of eyes and ears in the community.

2. Community Relations - Show the community that we care.

By the numbers…

Law Enforcement

Approximately 700,000 sworn officers.

Waste Hauling and Recycling

Approximately 367,800 workers.

Combine = more than 1 million workers in communities throughout the

United States everyday!

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CommunityPoliceBusiness

SchoolsGovernmentYouth

Who will benefit from partnerships to make

communities better and safer?

EVERYONE!

Working with Law EnforcementCommunity Watch programs

Waste Watch (Waste Management’s program)Neighborhood WatchBusiness Watch

Amber AlertsSafety Programs

Inviting police to safety meetings with driversDefensive driving programsSlow Down to Get Around

Specialized trainingAccident investigationMechanic training

Community Watch

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Provides support for resource-constrained police departments by incorporating civilian volunteers so that law enforcement professionals have more time for frontline duty .

Easy Steps for implementing a Community Watch program:

Review information packet.Contact local law enforcement and

emergency management personnel.Train drivers, dispatchers and all other

employees who will participate in the program.

Easy Steps to implementation a Community Watch program:

Send letter to elected officials to explain the program.

Issue news release to local media about your efforts.

Celebrate successes.Provide news about local heroes to local

papers.

Tools to get you started

The following materials have been developed to support the implementation of your Community Watch Program:

Frequently Asked Questions

Sample letters to municipal officials and customers

Sample News Release

FAQ: What is a Community Watch Program?

Community Watch is a crime prevention and community safety initiative.

Enlists the active participation of Solid Waste Industry route drivers and helpers who coordinate with law enforcement and emergency services to report crime or emergency situations that they may see.

Community Watch does not require capital investment or additional resources.

The purpose of the Community Watch Program is to provide the community with extra "eyes and ears.”

FAQ: How Does It Work?

Drivers, helpers, supervisors and dispatchers are trained to recognize and report suspicious activities in the communities that they serve.

In addition dispatchers are trained on procedures for reporting incidents to local law enforcement or emergency services agencies.

Drivers or helpers witnessing an emergency situation or suspicious activity radio the problem or threat to dispatch, which, in turn, contacts the appropriate authorities.

FAQ: How does it work?

Drivers and helpers only act as an extra set of “eyes and ears” to the local police.

Drivers and helpers should not get physically involved with any activity they report or the apprehension of any suspicious persons.

FAQ: How do I develop this program locally?

Get support of management/ownershipContact the local police/sheriffSet up a meeting to kick off the programStress to all employees that this is a

voluntary program and that we do not encourage any employee to take any personal risk to prevent crime or ensure the safety of another.

FAQ? What type of training is required?Work with local law enforcement representative(s) to design a

training program specific for your community.

Training is very simple and should take no longer than 30 minutes.

Review examples of suspicious situations and explain how to report such incidents to the proper authorities.

Specific topics may include preparing accurate descriptions of suspicious individuals and using proper emergency reporting protocols.

Pre Meeting

General Manager should appoint a coordinator who will interface with law enforcement.

Establish guidelines to encourage responsibility and participation.

Contact law enforcement representatives to request their participation at the meeting.

Develop a kick-off meeting agenda.

Kick-off MeetingInvite and involve all employees. Encourage law enforcement attendees to

actively express views regarding the importance of this program.

Stress that your organization and each of its employees has a stake in the well being of the local community.

Review the FAQs and SOPs for the program.

Types of Incidents

AccidentsFiresBurglaryMissing persons (children and

adults)Illegal disposal

Post MeetingPublicize the program, internally and

externally.Openly post reminders for drivers and

helpers .Regularly review procedures for

observing and reporting suspicious activity with employees.

How can I promote the program?

Be creative. Design a logo for your program.Place decals on trucks.Use flyers in customer billing statement.Letters.Social media.Media coverage.

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Strategies for Effective Communication

Promoting your program

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Develop organizational marketing materials• Websites• Social Media• Brochures• Fliers/handouts/fact sheets• Truck Decals• Ads in local papers• Cable channel access

Promoting your program

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Media assistance• Public service announcements• News releases• Hero recognition

Social Media

Direct Marketing

Should accomplishments be recognized?Yes!

It is important to reward and recognize the contributions of our drivers and dispatchers.

Acknowledgement should be quick!

Driver safety meetings are a great time and place to celebrate accomplishments.

Media awareness

RecognitionSafety Meeting or Staff Meeting

In front of his/her peersAnnual recognition of all heroesLetter of recognitionTickets/DinnerJacketDecal on truckNews media storyCity Counsel

Tips for SuccessMake a big deal when a “hero” emerges.Celebrate

Reward heroRecognize his/her actions

On-going promotion of the programMake sure you tell the media (it’s a great story)Let loose with the humility

Questions

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Presenter Contact Information

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Will Flowerwillflower419@gmail.com480-399-0444

Additional ResourcesNational Crime Prevention Council (3 web sites):

• www.ncpc.org -- main website • www.bytecrime.org -- cybercrime website• www.mcgruff.org -- website for children

• www.WillFlower.com/writings• Copy of this PowerPoint• Copy of the Community Watch Implementation Plan