Roots & Wings Online
%20Parade.jpeg)
The Orange County Sheriff’s Department (OCSD) says that the Neighborhood Watch program is one of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and creates a partnership between law enforcement and the community. Residents who start a program in their neighborhood will learn how to work with law enforcement and report suspicious activity.
The Neighborhood Watch program gets residents working together with one another and local law enforcement to decrease and prevent residential crime. The Orange County Sheriff's Department, Southeast Operations coordinates the program. It is a problem-solving program designed to address issues and s that concern you in your neighborhood. Sheriff's Department personnel will lead a program introduction meeting where residents will learn skills to assist them in identifying suspicious activity and how to report it.
Interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch program in your neighborhood?
Benefits
The benefits of a Neighborhood Watch Program in your neighborhood is a decrease in neighborhood crime through:
- Learning effective crime prevention techniques for your home and neighborhood.
- Getting to know your neighbors and building community spirit.
- Recognizing suspicious activity and reporting it.
- Meeting with local law enforcement personnel and developing partnerships that support two-way informational exchanges.
- Receiving Crime Alert Bulletins and special program notifications, including announcements.
Start a Neighborhood Watch Program in your neighborhood
- Contact the Administrative Sergeant for Southeast Operations to request information on Neighborhood Watch.
Sergeant Justin Barba
Southeast Operations Administrative Sergeant / S.R.T.
jbarba@ocsheriff.gov - Talk with your neighbors and coordinate a date for the first meeting. A Neighborhood Watch group should have a "Watch Block" of 12 to 20 homes. The success of Neighborhood Watch depends on resident participation.
- Pick a location for the meetings; a private residence or neighborhood clubhouse is recommended. LARMAC will provide a clubhouse at no cost for Neighborhood Watch meetings – based on availability.
- Once a date and place have been established, the Administrative Sergeant will provide meeting flyers for distribution in your neighborhood.
Other considerations
- Contact LARMAC to help you determine the best locations for your Neighborhood Watch signs. Where possible, signs will be attached to existing poles. Please note that signs must not be erected or displayed without the prior written approval of LARMAC.
- Upon approval of sign placement, LARMAC Staff will install your Neighborhood Watch signs at no cost to you. Your neighborhood is responsible for maintaining the signs.
- You may order your Neighborhood Watch signs from the National Neighborhood Watch Institute by phone at (888) 669-4872 or through their website.
Approved sign details:
- MLSM Boris the Burglar, LEA Medium
- Aluminum Sign, Size 12"(w) x 18"(h)
- The cost per sign is currently $33.25 plus sales tax and shipping
- Installation of the sign: To assist residents interested in establishing Neighborhood Watch, LARMAC will cover the cost of installing Neighborhood Watch signs purchased by the neighborhood.
