What do you know about Community and security?
A Neighborhood Watch Program has several advantages, including the fact that your neighbors know who you are, what type of car you drive, and who belongs at your residence. A patrol officer driving by your home might not recognize someone as a stranger in your yard. However, an alert neighbor would recognize the person as a stranger. It is the combination of concerned residents and law enforcement working together to reduce residential burglaries and other crimes.
Here are some benefits provided by the Santa Cruz County Sheriff of establishing a Neighborhood Watch Program where you live include:
- You will have an opportunity to meet and get to know your neighbors.
- You will learn how to recognize suspicious activity...a good witness is often the best lead to solving a crime.
- You will learn about the 9-1-1 system and how to report a crime.
- You will learn about specific problems in your neighborhood.
- You will learn about home security techniques.
- You will learn about engraving household goods for identification for fast recover should they be stolen.
- You will learn tips on landscaping, lighting and security alarms.
- You will meet dedicated police personnel who are concerned about preserving the integrity and safety of your neighborhood.
The city of Santa Cruz hosts an extensive Neighborhood Watch program. A Neighborhood Watch program involves the cooperation of civilian neighbors in conjunction with the local law enforcement to reduce burglaries and other crimes. Here is a link with lots of information: Santa Cruz Neighbors
Have you ever wondered where those signs in your neighborhood that said "neighborhood watch," came from? National Neighborhood Watch Institute (NNWI) is the premier national supplier of Neighborhood Watch materials. Their mission statement states that, "National Neighborhood Watch Institute, NNWI, is dedicated to supplying Crime Prevention Materials to aid in the reduction of criminal activity both Domestically and Internationally."
Here are some tips provided by santacruzneighbors.com to prevent house burglary:
THE BURGLARY BASICS:
Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.
Burglaries do happen in the daylight hours.
Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors. Deadbolts are good for outside doors.
Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.
Keep your garage door closed and locked, even when home. If you do leave your garage door open and it is an attached garage – lock the door into the house.
Don't allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.
Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.
Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security. Even a wooden dowel or a track blocker will help prevent the door from opening.
Just because it’s horrible weather outside – that doesn’t stop the criminal activity.
DON’T TEMPT A THIEF:
Lawn mowers, snow blowers, barbecues and bicycles are best stored out of sight.
Always lock your garden sheds and garages.
Use curtains on garage and basement windows.
Never leave notes on your door such as "Gone shopping." LOCKS……GET THE BEST:
No lock, regardless of its quality, can be truly effective. Key-in dead bolt locks provide minimum security. Ask a locksmith for advice on your situation.
Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen.
When moving into a new home, have all locks changed.
-Marie
UCSC has a community security program. The UCSC housing page tells us that:
Community Safety Officers (CSOs) work in conjunction with the UC Police, UC Fire and the administration of university residential communities (both on- and off-campus) to ensure a safe and secure living environment for all residents.
CSOs are trained in emergency response, first aid, CPR, and disaster response, and they carry radios linked to University Police Dispatch. Teamwork is a highly valued skill in our program and our CSOs work in teams to provide consistent service across campus and in all residential communities.
Safety and Security Services
CSOs offer a wide variety of services to the residential communities including:
- assistance with lockouts,
- securing buildings,
- providing first aid,
- assisting with noise complaints,
- assistance with documenting policy violations,
- assistance with nighttime maintenance issues,
- assisting with calls for police, fire or medical assistance,
- and residential event security
The Santa Cruz Consolidated Emergency Communications Center is located at 495 Upper Park Road, Santa Cruz, Ca, 95065. This is also known as the 911 Center. They are composed of Medical dispatchers that work for the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's office to provide public safety. Not only do they reach out to Santa Cruz, but also the police departments of Capitola, Watsonville, and Hollister. You can schedule a tour of the center by appointment and groups are greatly encouraged to go. The mission of the Santa Cruz Consolidated Emergency Communications Center states that the, "Santa Cruz Regional 9-1-1 is dedicated to serving as the vital link between the public and public safety organizations through responsiveness and technical excellence while in partnership with its Users and employees." -Marie
