Briefing Room

Community Support

We invite you to join our Crime Watch program. Crime Watch is a crime prevention program designed to involve the community in combating crime. As a participant in the program, you will be demonstrating your concern about the community in which you reside, and your willingness to be involved with community issues that impact your quality-of-life.

This program reflects another fine example of the philosophy of Community Policing, i.e., a true working partnership with the community. As a resident, you are the eyes and ears of the community, and together our partnership can be purposeful, dynamic and effective. The anticipated success of this program will solidify the concept that together, the Police and the community can accomplish what neither can accomplish alone!

The Community Policing Support Division Office will take the lead in implementing this program. We fully expect this program to not only encourage increased citizen involvement when reporting criminal activity in the community, but also to expedite the exchange of information from the concerned citizen to our police personnel. As a Crime Watch member, you will be assigned an identification number. When calling to report activity, you will refer to the identification number which will provide us with your Crime Watch member profile. This will facilitate the handling of your call. If you, or someone you know, has any information about criminal activity, we are asking that you help us by calling (954) 828-5700 in a non-emergency situation, or call 9-1-1- in an emergency.

You may contact our Community Support Division Office at (954) 828-6428 with any questions you may have regarding this program, or you may request an application by E-mail. E- Mail: Rosa Vasquez or call her at 828-6428.

Remember: The true measure of our success is your satisfaction with our efforts. You are encouraged to get involved with your community by becoming a Crime Watch member today to help make our community the best that it can be.

What is Crime Watch?

Crime Watch is an association of neighbors working together collaboratively to make their neighborhoods a safer place to live. It means familiarizing yourselves with your neighbors' daily habits and vehicles so that you will know when something is suspicious or out of the ordinary. As well as identifying potentialy suspicious activities, Crime Watch participants report such activity by calling 911.

Many people are afraid to report suspicious activity for fear of embarassment that their 'lead' is a false one, or that it may not be a real emergency. As the old cliché goes, 'It is better to be safe than sorry.' The police would much rather be called to investigate than to be called after a crime has been committed. Everyone will feel much safer knowing that there are many eyes and ears in the community helping to keep the community safe.

So remember, when in doubt, call 911. The 911 Communications Center is staffed with trained operators who will evaluate your call, rank its priority, and dispatch it to the appropriate officer.

How can I become a participant?

Call the Community Support Division Office at 954-828-6428 or email Rosa Vasquez for a membership form and to obtain more information. Crime Watch doesn't take a lot of time or money. You may be asked to attend some Crime Watch meetings, learn about crime prevention, and volunteer time to your community to help set up for the meetings. Pitch in whenever and however you can in the area that interests you most.

How can I prevent a crime?

Keep your eyes and ears open to any unusual and suspicious activity in your neighborhood. Do not be afraid to report any suspicious activities by calling 911. The following some basic crime prevention tips can keep you from becoming a crime victim.

The following Preventive measures should be taken:

• Keep all doors and windows at home, and in your car, locked at all times.
• Maintain lighting around your home to prevent burglars.
• Do not keep valuables in plain view inside your car.
• When approaching your car, have your car key ready in your hand for a speedy entry
• Stay away from empty parking lots and dark streets
• When on vacation, have someone pick up your mail daily, and perhaps have someone house sit

What are the benefits of Crime Watch?

Not only will you learn more about your neighbors and develop new friendships, you will also feel a sense of accomplishment by using such crime fighting tools as education and prevention to combat crime. You will learn more about crime prevention techniques to protect your family, property and neighborhood.

Briefing Room

Community Policing