THE

DISTRICT TWO

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

PROGRAM

INFORMATION AND TRAINING MANUAL

Concerned Citizens Taking An Active Part In Protecting

Their Community

Program Proudly Sponsored By:

The City of Cincinnati Police Division

INTRODUCTION:

On a national average, there is approximately one law enforcement officer for every two thousand citizens. However, not all these officers are actively patrolling the streets. Some of these officers work in administrative, investigative and correction positions. Much of law enforcement’s patrol activity is reactive rather than proactive. In most cases' police respond to a crime after it has been committed. Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program. It is set up to prevent crime from happening and to allow the police to respond before there is a victim or property loss.

The Neighborhood Watch Program is unique with no other community in Cincinnati actively working to prevent crime the way we are. Our local Neighborhood Watchprogram is based on the National Neighborhood Watch Program. We developed our program to help prevent citizens  from becoming victims of crime. The Neighborhood Watch program encourages citizens to become more involved in the protection of their communities. The citizen's role in the program is to report suspicious activities and crime to the proper authorities. The program ensures citizens who are registered members of the program can remain anonymous to the public.

To have a good Neighborhood Watchprogram, the police first need YOUR help. They need you to be the eyes and ears in your neighborhood. The uniformed police cannot be on every street and in every house, but YOU the citizen ARE. The cooperation of citizens and the Cincinnati Police Division makes a strong Neighborhood Watchprogram and will help in the deterrence of crime.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

Definition: Citizens banding together to help law enforcement in identifying

and reporting suspicious activities in their neighborhood.

Objectives: A. To ASSIST in making your neighborhood a safer place to live.

                        B. To OBSERVE and REPORT suspicious activities that could lead to a crime.

                        C. Being EDUCATED in proper crime prevention techniques.

A. OBSERVE - Observe the suspicious activity as inconspicuously as possible. DO NOT attempt to confront a suspect

B. IDENTIFY - Try to identify:

1. Facts of the crime (as many as possible)

2. Location (house/street number and address, description)

3. Description of person(s) involved.

4. Description of vehicle, if involved.

C. REPORT - Once a crime has been identified:

Call the police at 765-1212 (911 for emergencies) DO NOT CALL THE DISTRICT OR ANY SUBSTATION IF POLICE ARE NEEDED!!!!!

1. State the type of crime

2. State the location of the crime

3. Report as many facts as possible

5. Give the operator your Neighborhood Watch number. This information is highly confidential and will not be given out over the radio, to the suspect at the scene or any informal inquiries. At some point down the line an investigator may wish to contact you.

IDENTIFICATION OF SUSPECTS:

As a victim or witness to a crime, you can best help an investigating officer by

giving an accurate and complete description of the suspect. This description

should include:

1. Sex

2. Race

3. Age

4. Height - estimate in blocks of 2 inches

5. Weight - estimate in blocks of 10 pounds

6. Build - large, small, fat, thin, or any distinguishing features such as tattoos, scars, glasses, missing limbs or defects.

7. Hair - color, style, length

8. Facial Hair

9. Eyes

10. Complexion - light, dark, poor

11. Clothing - color and style

12. Jewelry - watch, ring or necklace

13. Method and direction of escape

 

If there is a vehicle involved, give a description of the vehicle:

1. License plate - number, state

2. Make - Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan

          3. Model - Mustang, Corsica, Pathfinder

      4. Type - 2 door, 4 door, van, truck

        5. Color - black, red, blue, ect