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BLOCK CAPTAIN ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES • Maintain block map and phone/ email tree. • Arrange annual Neighborhood Watch meeting. • Attend quarterly Block Captain Forum. • Pass along information from City and Sheriff’s Department to other members. • Distribute welcome packets to new neighbors. • The Block Captain is NOT the person you call when there is a problem or you need the Sheriff’s department to come out. ONLINE RESOURCES • cityofpalmdale.org—sign up for Connect CTY to be informed of what’s going on in the City. • Nixle.com—Receive text or email messages from the Sheriff’s Department. • Crimereports.com—See what crimes are being committed in your neighborhood. • LAcrimestoppers.org— Anonymous crime tips. Why Neighborhood Watch? Quality of life in our community is everyone’s responsibility. We are individually and collectively responsible for the safety and security of our families, our neighbors, our homes and ourselves. Neighborhood Watch is one of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce fear. Neighborhoods that implement it develop a real sense of community that is lacking in most modern neighborhoods. Feelings of belonging and pride in one’s neighborhood come from the ongoing communication and cooperation that is developed between neighbors in a neighborhood watch program. WARNING WE IMMEDIATELY REPORT ALL SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES TO THE SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM IN FORCE Neighborhood Watch Program To schedule a Neighborhood Watch Orientation for your neighborhood or other questions, please call the Crime Prevention Office at 661/267-5170 What You Need to Do: 1. Determine your boundaries. Smaller groups (10-20 houses) are easier to organize and work best for Neighborhood Watch. 2. Choose a block captain and co-captain. 3. Order a Neighborhood Watch sign. 4. Place your Neighborhood Watch window sticker in a front window. 5. Create a block map and telephone tree. 6. Develop a means of regular communication. Neighborhood Watch Does: • Forms a partnership between residents, law enforcement and city government. • Provides ongoing crime prevention and public safety education. • Reviews calls for service to the Sheriff’s department and crime statistics for your neighborhood. • Provides resources to residents to address specific issues in a neighborhood. • Teaches residents how to be the eyes and ears of the Sheriff’s Department and how to work with local government. • Provides crime prevention program information, presentations and community involvement opportunities. ...and Does Not: NOT VIGILANTE: Neighborhood Watch is not a vigilante group. Never go looking for trouble. NOT A COMMUNITY PATROL: We do not advise you to ever put yourself in danger or confront a criminal. Always report to the Sheriff’s Department from a safe distance. NOT A GUARANTEE: Neighborhood Watch is not a cure-all or guarantee that your neighborhood will be crime free. However, it has been shown to be the most effective means for crime prevention and an invaluable tool.