Guidelines and Rules to follow for a safe Neighborhood

Watch

What is a Neighborhood Watch?

The Neighborhood Watch program is a crime prevention program which enlists the active participation of the citizens
of Paloma Creek in cooperation with the Denton County Sheriffs Office with the goal of reducing crime in our
community. The Neighborhood Watch program is the most effective means available for keeping crime out of our
community. It relies on the best crime fighting tool available watchful neighbors.
What the Neighborhood Watch is NOT:
A vigilante force working outside the normal procedures of law enforcement.
A program designed for participants to take personal risks to prevent crime.
A 100% guarantee that crime will not occur in the neighborhood.
Observation Skills
The keys to a successful Neighborhood Watch program is recognizing the importance of using good observation skills to
keep your neighborhood safe.

As a Neighborhood Watch volunteer I will work to Hone our Observation Skills by paying attention to things
like:

Physical setting Specific location, time of day, day of week?
People What do they look like? (height, weight, ethnicity, gender, etc.) How many are there?
Specific items What is important? What stands out?

Remember the goal of a Neighborhood Watch volunteer is to be a good witness, and not to take risks to prevent
crime.

How to Obtain a Suspicious Persons Description:

1. Name Always give the persons name, if known.
2. Race/Ethnicity White, Asian, Black, Hispanic, etc.
3. Sex Male/Female
4. Age Use their date of birth or estimate age as close as you can. If you cannot guess a number for age, use
terms such as: Teenager, short, average, etc.

5. Height Estimate the suspects height by comparing him/her to yourself or someone you know. Use terms such
as: Tall, short, average, etc.
6. Weight Estimate the suspects weight by comparing him/her to yourself or someone you know. Use terms
such as: Heavy, thin, average, muscular, etc.
7. Hair Note the color of the hair, its length, style, and any headgear worn. Also note any facial hair, if worn.
8. Eyes Note the color of the eyes and any characteristics such as: bloodshot, watery, etc. Note if the person is
wearing any type of glasses or sunglasses.
9. Clothes Note the color, type, style, and condition of the suspects shirt, pants, shoes, coat, etc.
10. Marks Note if there are any scars, amputations, tattoos, deformities, etc., as well as their location on the
suspects body.

How to Obtain a Suspicious Vehicle Description:
When you observe a suspicious vehicle in the neighborhood, it is very important that you obtain the BEST description of
that vehicle. You must be as accurate as you can in describing the vehicle, so that Sheriffs office will be able to locate it
and the suspicious person(s) involved.
You can remember a vehicle description by learning the acronym CYMBAL. Associate each letter of the word with these values:
C = Color Example: C = Red
Y = Year Y = late 90s
M = Make M = Ford
B = Body Style B = 4 door passenger car
A = Accessories A = Tinted windows and broken spoiler
L = License Plate L = TEXAS 123ABC



What is Suspicious Activity?
A suspicious activity is an event taking place that is out of the ordinary or should not be occurring. Knowing your
neighbors, their habits, and the composition of their households will make it easier to recognize and report any suspicious
activities occurring in our community.

The effectiveness of the police and sheriffs offices efforts is enhanced by active participation on the part of
citizens.

Some common examples of suspicious activities can include:
A stranger loitering in your neighborhood or a vehicle cruising the streets repeatedly.
Someone peering into cars or windows.
A high volume of traffic going to and coming from a home on a daily basis.
Someone loitering around schools, parks or secluded areas.
Strange odors coming from a house, building or vehicle.
Open or broken doors and windows at a closed business or unoccupied residence.
Someone tampering with electrical, gas or sewer systems without an identifiable company vehicle or uniform.

Persons arriving or leaving from homes or businesses at unusual hours.
Multiple persons who appear to be working in unison and exhibiting suspicious behaviors.
Signs of forced entry or tampering with security or safety systems.

Knowing What to Report
By reporting these types of activities and situations, citizens can make their communities safer and more secure, reduce
violence, minimize victimization, reduce crime, and improve the overall quality of life.

There are four general categories to consider when determining what to report:
1. Suspicious activities,
2. People and vehicles;
3. Illegal activities;
4. Unusual events or incidents, dangerous situations.

Knowing How to Report it

To report suspicious activities, crimes in progress or possible terrorist activities, simply:
Dial 9-1-1, call the police department or sheriffs office.
Tell the call taker what happened and the exact location.
Provide a detailed description of individuals or vehicles including clothing, color of vehicle, and license plate if
possible.
Remain on the phone and stay calm.
Be prepared to answer follow-up questions.


When to Call 911 and When Not!

Calling 911 is an important communications tool for emergencies. However, some citizens call 911 in non-emergency
situations. This can cause the dispatch operator to miss a call of a person needing help. It is important that not only
your groups but all citizens understand when to call and when not to call 911.

When To Call
Medical emergency (examples: chest pain, extreme shortness of breath, uncontrolled bleeding).
Motor vehicle accident.
Fire.
Crime in progress
When a life is in danger.



When Not to Call

The power is off.
Asking for directions to the hospital.
Asking for telephone numbers of others.
Requesting to speak with a particular officer.
Inquiring as to the time and day.
Inquiring about community activities and locations




REMEMBER:
Community members only serve as the extra eyes and ears of law enforcement. They should
report their observations of suspicious activities to law enforcement; however, citizens should
never try to take action on those observations. Trained law enforcement should be the only
ones ever to take action based on observations of suspicious activities.

WHEN IN DOUBT, CALL IT IN!




Paloma Creeks Real Neighborhood Watch Groups Recommended Volunteer
Guidelines.

Do Nots

1. We will not approach suspects.
2. We will not detain people.
3. There is a ZERO TOLERANCE POLICY regarding the carrying of weapons, whether licensed to do
so or not. Citizen volunteers WILL NOT put themselves into a situation requiring use of force;
therefore the carry of weapons is not permitted while making Neighborhood Watch rounds. Non-
compliance with this policy will result in your removal from the Neighborhood Watch group. The
Safety Committee and Paloma Creek Homeowners Association do not condone carrying weapons
while making rounds.



Dos


1. Do take pictures or video of suspected activity.
2. Make notes of suspicious activity that can be passed along to Denton County Sheriffs. There are
situations that will not warrant contacting DCSO, but any suspicious activity should be noted so
DCSO deputies can be aware while on their normal patrols.
3. Implement security measures recommended by local law enforcement officials.
4. Keep any eye on your neighbors homes and report suspicious activity to DCSO.
5. Teach your children about crime prevention and about respect for law enforcement.