Dedicated to Friendship and Unity, One Neighbor to Another

LAS TIERRAS NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH COMMITTEE

The Neighborhood Watch program is one of the priority issues being addressed by the Association. The following information was distributed to the Association by Officer Martha DeAnda, El Paso Police Department's Crime Prevention Officer, at an Association meeting on June 7th, 2006.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH INTRODUCTION

The Neighborhood Watch program depends on citizen involvement to prevent and discourage crime and reduce fear. The Program persuades citizens to get involved by getting to know your neighbors and looking out for each other. The program also encourages citizens to report crime and suspicious activities, thus improving communication and interaction between the community and police.

PLEASE NOTE: You are NOT being asked to take personal risks, NOR IS IT RECOMMENDED. Participants are only to serve as extra "eyes and ears", report information on crimes and suspicious activity in their neighborhoods, keep an eye on each other, and forge an on-going relationship with the police.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH GOALS

• TO REDUCE, BY 50%, CRIMINAL VICTIMIZATION TO THOSE RESIDENTS WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM.
• TO INCREASE, BY 200%, THE INCIDENCE OF CITIZENS' REPORTS OF CRIMES IN PROGRESS.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH BENEFITS

Aside from preventing crime and reducing fear, Neighborhood Watch builds pride, forms bonds among neighbors, improves citizen-police relations and can address other issues such as child safety, youth development, senior citizen welfare and quality of life issues.

Participants will receive on-going training and information from police on various topics, to include:

• Crime Prevention tips to assist citizens in securing their homes, vehicles, and valuables.
• Direct telephone contact to police and/or other city agencies.
• Weekly FAX Force alerts, which include crime trends and upcoming events.
• Municipal code violations, suspicious activity recognition.
• "Code Watch" / Extra Patrol when needed and available.
• Guest speakers with a wide array of information.
• Direct assistance from the El Paso "Anti-Graffiti" program.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH COSTS

The costs incurred are minimal. The purchasing of the signs can be divided among participating homes and the expenses of block parties are shared as well.

Neighborhood Watch signs cost $22.00 each. The neighborhood chooses how many they would like to purchase. The City of El Paso Street Department will install the signs at no charge.

The only other expense that a group would incur would be that of food, etc. for get togethers and block parties, which is the choice of the group.