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Managing Neighborhood Crime and the Neighborhood Watch Program
Crime Prevention Officer David HustedColorado Springs Police Department
Falcon Division
Colorado Springs Police Department 2008 FAST FACTS
Sworn Personnel 688• This is 1.7 police officers per 1000 people
• The National average (2006) for cities our size was 2.2 police officers per 1000 people
Civilian Personnel 293
Grant/Temp Hires 15
• TOTAL 996• 2.4 personnel per 1000 people
• The National average (2006) for cities our size was 2.9
City Population 407,902
Area in square miles 194.162
Compared to 2006
In 2008 we have 19 fewer total personnel and the city’s population has grown by 15,738.
Calls for Service received in 2007: 593,679.
Calls for Service dispatched in 2007: 318,012
The target response time to emergency calls is 8 minutes 90% of the time.
Average response time to emergency calls in 2007 was 10 minutes 34 seconds.
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When Should I Call Police?
You see a crime in progress.
You discover a crime has been committed.
You witness suspicious activity or circumstances.
You have a general traffic or crime related question or concern.
Call Police first, prior to notifying anyone else such as a friend, relative, neighbor, or block captain. 4
What number do I Call to notify Police?
911 for emergencies.
444-7000 for non-emergencies.
634-STOP (7867) for Crime Stoppers.
Neighborhood Justice Center: (719) 520-6016
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What is considered an Emergency?
A crime in-progress; happening “now”.
A violent crime.
A crime involving serious injury, requiring medical attention.
Anytime your or someone else’s life is in danger or your safety is jeopardized.
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What are non-Emergencies?
Discovery of a property crime or misdemeanor person crime “after the fact”.
Suspect no longer on scene; no danger; no serious injuries.
Noise complaints, parking complaints.
General questions or on-going issues.
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What should I do until Police Arrive?
Observe, gather and record information.
Maintain a safe distance and keep out of danger.
Preserve the crime scene if applicable.
Remain on the phone with the call taker if appropriate.
If you see evidence of a break-in wait outside or in a safe location until police arrive.
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What not to do while waiting for PD:Do not confront suspects or take enforcement action unless someone’s life depends on it and you choose to act.
Do not gather, collect, or tamper with evidence unless it is in imminent danger of destruction.
If there is evidence of a break-in: Do Not Enter.
Do not attempt to stop someone from leaving or attempt to detain a suspect.
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Direct Line Reporting (DLR)and Internet Reporting
Property crimes with no suspect information and some traffic accidents can be reported online at www.springspolice.gov
Property crimes with no suspect information that are telephoned in will be referred to DLR; an officer will not respond in person.
You will be given a case report number. 10
How do I handle a non-criminal issue in my neighborhood?
Contact the homeowner directly in a respectful and non-confrontational manner.
Contact Neighborhood Justice to mediate disputes between neighbors.
Neighborhood Justice Center: (719) 520-6016
Contact the appropriate agency: Code Enforcement, Zoning, Traffic Engineering, Utilities, Humane Society, Dept. of Human Svcs, etc.
Handle civil disputes via the court system.11
How does Neighborhood Watch fit in?
Neighborhood Watch groups build positive community partnerships with police, between neighbors, and with other public and private organizations.
Participants learn to use crime prevention strategies in their neighborhoods and how to recognize suspicious behavior.
Communication flows freely between neighbors and from residents to the police.
All these things when implemented correctly reduce incidents of criminal activity in neighborhoods.
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What is Neighborhood Watch?A group of neighbors willing to communicate with each other and pass along information.
The group watches for and reports suspicious activity to police.
The members meet regularly with each other.
Members are educated by police on crime prevention and safety strategies.
Members all live on the same street or within line of sight; 5-25 homes generally comprise one group. 13
What Neighborhood Watch is Not:
It is not a law enforcement entity.
Is not armed citizen patrols.
It is not a vigilante group.
It is not a homeowners association or neighborhood organization.
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What Neighborhood Watch is Not:
It is not a political group.
It is not encouraging citizen risk taking to prevent crime.
It is not a guarantee crime will not occur.
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What are the NW Block Captain’s duties and responsibilities?
Understand your responsibilities outlined in the Block Captain Handbook.
Act as the point of contact between neighbors and the Crime Prevention Officer (CPO) or Designee.
Maintain your accurate information with the CPO or Designee, i.e. address and phone numbers.
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What are the NW Block Captain’s duties and responsibilities (Cont)?
Communicate information sent to you by the CSPD to your NW group members.
You and/or your designee attend additional training throughout the year.
You and/or your designee attend at least two of the four quarterly block captain meetings per year.
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What are the NW Block Captain’s duties and responsibilities (Cont)?
You and/or your designee attend the annual City-Wide Neighborhood Watch Block Captain’s Meeting.
Encourage participation from all within the Neighborhood Watch Group.
Act as a coordinator for your group by sending out meeting notices, and ensuring that the group meets at least twice per year.
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What are the NW Block Captain’s duties and responsibilities (Cont)?
Maintain an up to date list of who is part of your watch group along with current contact information.
You must attend the initial Block Captain Training Module.
Fill out a Block Captain Application and Sign the MoU.
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Optional for Block Captains
You do not have to always meet at the block captain’s home; You can if you want, but you may rotate meeting locations if desired.
You may create and distribute newsletters on a regular basis if you wish.
Arrange guest speakers for your meetings or pick up interesting helpful materials to hand out.
Create an agenda for the meeting based on input from members.
Organize and coordinate Neighborhood activities.
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What a NW Block Captain should not do:
Do not tell members they must call you first prior to calling the police.
The block captain does not report criminal activity on behalf of others; that is an individual responsibility.
Does not make decisions on behalf of the group or control the groups’ actions; you are a spokesperson for the group.
Do not decide who participates in NW; it is open to all residents in the designated area unless the police deem otherwise. 21
What a NW Block Captain should not do:
Do not attempt to mediate neighborhood disputes.
Do not make other people’s personal business yours. If it does not pertain to NW, stay out of it.
Remember, you are a coordinator only, not your neighbor's keeper or their employer/boss.
Do not force participation in NW or ostracize those who choose not to participate.
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What are the NW Members Responsibilities
Notify Block Captain if your contact information changes.
Be alert to suspicious activities in your neighborhood.
Learn neighbors’ names and be able to identify their vehicles and other vehicles usually in your neighborhood.
Implement security measures suggested by your CPO or Block Captain.
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What are the NW Members Responsibilities
Notify police and Block Captain of any suspicious activity.
DO NOT TAKE ANY PERSONAL RISK to prevent a crime or execute an arrest. It is more important to have a healthy, injury free witness whose recollection of the incident is not tainted by fear, anxiety, or pain. The safety and well being of every person in the group is most important.
Attend the NW Meetings.24
How do we start a NW Group?
Determine the coverage area; normally 5-25 homes (may
be more if reasonable) on the same street or within line of sight. (use common sense!)
Talk with neighbors and choose a meeting location, date, and time for a “Start-Up” meeting.
Coordinate the first meeting with the CPO or Designee.
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How do we start a NW Group?
Send out invitations to households within your coverage area.
Attend the “Start-Up” meeting where a representative from the police will explain how NW works and hand out materials.
Your group will choose a Block Captains prior to or at the “Start-Up” meeting.
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Start-Up Meeting
A CSPD representative will facilitate.
Your Block Captain(s) will be given handbooks.
All members will be given:• Crime Prevention Handbooks
• NW Window Signs
• Operation Identification Materials
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Maintaining an Active NW Group
NW street signs will be ordered and installed after meeting #2.Your group must meet at least twice per year.Your Block Captain or a designee must attend at least two quarterly meetings and the yearly Citywide Block Captain Meeting.
You must notify the CPO or the Designee when you are having meetings or other activities. Participate in National Night Out• Neighborhood social• Porch lights 28
Closing
Participation in the Neighborhood Watch Program is not necessary to maintain a crime free neighborhood.Neighbors should maintain good relations with each other by using common sense and being respectful of each other.Use what you have learned tonight in order to call the police at appropriate times.If you would like to start a Neighborhood Watch, contact information will follow.
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Falcon Division (North West)7850 Goddard StreetColorado Springs, CO 80905719 – 444-7240Crime Prevention 444-7246 / Officer David Husted
Gold Hill Division (South West) 955 West Moreno AvenueColorado Springs, CO 80920719 – 385-2100Crime Prevention 385-2117 / Officer Bob Harris
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CSPD Division Contact Information
Sand Creek Division (South East) 4125 Center Park DriveColorado Springs, CO 80916719 – 444-7270Crime Prevention 444-7276 / Officer Lori Torrini
Stetson Hills Division (North East)4110 Tutt BoulevardColorado Springs, CO 80922719 – 444-3140Crime Prevention 444-3168 / Officer Dave Gilman
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CSPD Division Contact Information
