[RP TownTalk] Some Neighborhood Watch Information

[Sarah Wayland]

Hi TownTalkers,

I found the original flier that we distributed when getting
Neighborhood Watch going back in 1996. There's a lot of great
information in here, especially the section at the end on "Burglary
Prevention Tips".

In reading this, I realize that I failed to give credit to Rebecca
Feldberg, who was a driving force behind getting the program going.
(Indeed I remember her harassing me on countless occasions to come
patrol.)

-Sarah

---------- Text of Flier from 1996 ----------

In the summer of 1996, the Residents' Association for Progress in the
Town Of Riverdale (RAPTOR) formed a Safety Committee to address issues
pertaining to the safety of the residents of Riverdale. In discussions
with residents, it became clear that many of them wanted to help the
police better protect our town by forming an active Neighborhood Watch
program.  This program has two components. The first is to improve the
safety of your home and to catalog your valuables so that it will be
easier for the police to trace them in case of theft.  The second
involves active patrolling of our neighborhoods.  Participating in
either one (or both) of these activities will have you working with our
town police to improve safety in Riverdale.

WHAT IS NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH?

Neighborhood Watch is a community based organization of citizens who
care about their neighborhood. The program, sponsored by the National
Sheriff's Association, has been proven to deter crime. It means getting
to know your neighbors, organizing a network to notify one another in
the event of a crime, educating yourselves and your neighbors about
personal safety and home security, and calling the police whenever you
see something suspicious. Any community resident can participate —
young and old, single and married, home owner and renter. Neighborhood
Watch organizations can be an effective tool not only in the prevention
of crime, but in helping to solve crimes that may occur. By joining
your local watch group, you will learn:

•  How to improve your home's security and safeguard your valuables
through Operation Identification.

•  How to better protect yourself.

•  When to call the police and what number to call (call 927-4343 for
faster police response in Riverdale).

•  What is happening in your neighborhood that you should know about.

•  How to work with police and city officials to solve an ongoing
problem.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT?

Neighborhood Watch can teach you how to safeguard your home and
valuables, and can help to reduce crime in your neighborhood.  Even if
crime does not seem to be a problem, its prevention should still be a
priority. No neighborhood is immune to the impact of crime. In some
cases, you may not be learning about the crimes that do occur. It is
obvious that the police can't be everywhere, so they have to rely on
citizens to be their "eyes and ears" in the streets. One of the
foundations of neighborhood watch is to report all suspicious activity
to the police. We can teach you what is suspicious and the appropriate
telephone number to call to report it.

If you are interested in joining a patrolling group, you will be put in
contact with the coordinator for your neighborhood.  These patrols work
closely with the police department to insure that no suspicious
behavior goes unreported.  In addition, their continued presence
visibly demonstrates that there are concerned residents who care about
safety in their neighborhood.

Neighborhood Watch programs help unite the citizens with city officials
and law enforcement agencies and provide a forum to address community
concerns.  It gives you, the citizen, a stronger and more organized
voice when dealing with these agencies.

Consider a real example of how Neighborhood Watch made a difference in
College Park.  When there was an armed robbery attempt on a residential
street in broad daylight, neighborhood watch distributed a flier the
following day to alert residents. Several neighbors recognized the
description in the flier and their leads helped police identify and
arrest the suspect.

WHAT CAN I DO?

You can get involved! We encourage you to make a difference in your
community. If your neighborhood already has a watch group, make sure
you join.  If you do not have a Neighborhood Watch organization,
consider starting one. You will get to know your neighbors, help
protect yourself and your property, and provide a valuable resource to
your neighborhood and the police.  It may not take as much time or
effort as you think. The Residents' Association for Progress in the
Town Of Riverdale (RAPTOR) is here to help citizens who want to start a
new watch group.  In cooperation with the Riverdale Police Department,
we can provide organizational help as well as the benefit of  our
experience. Any group of concerned citizens can start a watch group;
you do not need to be associated with any citizen's association. This
is a grass roots program that begins with you.

BURGLARY PREVENTION TIPS

Most burglaries are perpetrated by opportunists, both juveniles and
adults. Often, slowing down the burglar will be sufficient to prevent
crime from happening.

1. Be sure your doors and windows are strong and in good repair and
have adequate locks. Replace or re-key locks when you move into a new
house.

2. All solid doors should be equipped with a wide-angle "peep hole".
Look to see who is at the door before opening it.

3. Doors with windows or with adjacent glass panels can easily be
defeated. They should be equipped with double cylinder deadbolt locks.
This prevents someone from breaking the glass and reaching in to unlock
the door. The inside key should be kept out of reach of the door.

4.  On double hung windows, the typical "crescent latch" is not secure.
Home owners should "pin" windows by drilling a hole through both panes
and inserting a pin; or add a barrel bold lock. Remember that upper
windows are also vulnerable to break-ins, so be sure they are also
secured.

5.  Sliding doors are extremely vulnerable as they can simply be lifted
out. On sliding doors, add a special slider lock that mounts to surface
of the upper door frame and with the turn of a key, extends a bolt into
the top jamb. Be sure your sliding door also has a molded metal clip
with a screw between the fixed panel and the door as well. That way,
the fixed panel can't be shifted.

6. Trim shrubbery around doors and windows so it will not provide a
cover for burglars.

7. Do not store ladders outside your home unless they're secured. A
simple cable-type bicycle lock works well.

8. At night, leave lights on, including outdoor lights near windows and
doors. PEPCO reports that it only costs five cents ($ .05) to burn a
60-watt bulb for  eight (8) hours. Another option is to invest in
motion detector lights and be sure to investigate when they are
triggered. You might also consider fluorescent lights which burn
longer, brighter and more efficiently than conventional light bulbs.

9. When away, ask a neighbor to clear circulars and papers from your
yard and pick up the mail. Park your second car (or a neighbor's car)
in your driveway. Use timers (or ask a neighbor) to turn lights on at
night.

10. Never admit anyone into your home unless you know them. Request
credentials before admitting sales or service people into your home.
(Recently a resident in College Park reported a bogus gas meter reader
that attempted to enter her home with no identification, uniform or
paperwork).  When a service person is in your home, be sure to secure
all valuables.

POLICE PHONE NUMBER

Call the Riverdale Police directly at  927-4343.
If you call 911, the response will be slower.

TO LEARN MORE

Call Riverdale Town Hall at 927-6381
OR  Rebecca Feldberg at 864-2779.
_________________________________________
Special thanks to Alyssa Cotler & Janeen Miller of the College Park
Neighborhood Watch Coordinating Committee for providing much of the
information in this handout.


-- 
Sarah Wayland
Maryland - USA
sarah.wayland at gmail.com