Neighborhood Watch
General Information
Neighborhood Watch is a safety program designed to bring together law enforcement agencies, community organizations, businesses and individual residents in an effort to deter and reduce crime in neighborhoods. As one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the country, it was created in 1972 and developed in response to requests from sheriffs and police chiefs seeking a crime prevention program involving citizens. Neighborhood Watch programs are an effective tool in fighting crime.
In a Neighborhood-Watch community, neighbors communicate and keep watch on each others’ homes and property, especially when someone is away. They report any suspicious activity to law enforcement and become an active contributor to a safer neighborhood. Working collaboratively with area law enforcement, Neighborhood Watch communities develop a closer sense of community, often building long-term friendships with each other. A neighborhood Watch system is easy to establish, simply by getting to know your neighbors and being willing to communicate crime and non-crime neighborhood related information.
By forming a watch group, you make it known that you won’t tolerate criminal activity in your community and you make your community less attractive for potential criminals. The program is simple and inexpensive, yet highly effective in the fight against crime. Statistics indicate that communities with active Neighborhood Watch programs show a marked decrease in burglaries and related crimes.
For those interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch group, contact our Crime Prevention Coordinator at (719) 520-7151 or by emailing neighborhoodwatch@epasoco.com.
Contact Information
Name
Giovanni Pisapia
Phone
(719) 520-7151
Email
neighborhoodwatch@elpasoco.com
Address
El Paso County Sheriff’s Office
Attention: Records Unit
27 East Vermijo Avenue
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
Office hours
8:00 am – 4:30 pm
Neighborhood Watch Groups in Your Area
Visit the regional map to see where Neighborhood Watch groups are located throughout the county.
Vacation Check Request Form
Complete and submit this form to request a vacation check for your address.
Community Video Program
Click the button below to learn more about our Community Video Program
Fact Vs. Fiction
Neighborhood Watch is:
A community - police partnership
Neighbors coming together to help each other from becoming victims of crime
Collaboration to address community issues
Learning and practicing Crime Prevention through Environmental Design
Learning to identify suspicious activity and reporting the activity to neighbors and the law enforcement
Generally live on the same street
Normally consist of 5-25 homes per group
Neighborhood Watch is not:
Citizens armed and on patrol
Vigilante groups
Encouraging residents to take risks to prevent crimes
A program that guarantees that a crime will not occur in a neighborhood
A politically affiliated group
A neighborhood association
A law enforcement entity
Some Reasons Why You Should Start a Neighborhood Watch
- There are a limited number of deputies patrolling the County at any given time. Citizens become extra eyes and ears for each other and law enforcement.
- Communication between you, your neighbors and the Sheriff’s Office will enhance the safety of your neighborhood.
- You become more educated on how to spot suspicious activity and more in-tune to your surroundings.
- Citizens and law enforcement working together to rid our neighborhoods of crime and social decay is truly Community Oriented Policing at its finest.
- Your family deserves a safer neighborhood.
Your Responsibilities
-
- Observation is paying attention to what is happening around you. Keep an eye out for your neighbors and their property as well as your own. Residents are the best experts on what is normal and acceptable in their own neighborhood.
- Communication is simply passing on your observations or information you receive. If you witness suspicious behavior or discover a crime, report it to the Sheriff’s Office immediately
- For emergencies, dial 911
- Otherwise call the non-emergency Dispatch line at 390-5555
- Security involves each person taking a critical look at their home, their habits and the entire neighborhood to ensure the area is not inviting to criminals. This includes assessing physical security measures, lighting, clean up and other features to create the safest environment possible.
National Night Out Program
Each year on the first Tuesday in August, the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office participates in the National Night Out Program. Sponsored by the National Association of Town Watch, this nation-wide crime prevention event invites citizens, law enforcement agencies, civic groups, businesses, and local officials in all 50 states for an evening of cookouts and block parties in support of local anticrime programs. This event reminds us of the by-gone days where folks left their doors unlocked and were not afraid to let their children run and play in the neighborhoods. By promoting this event, we hope to encourage neighbors to meet one another, strengthen neighborhood spirit, reinforce community/law enforcement partnerships, and send the message to criminals that these involved neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.
National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community and provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.
Crime Prevention
The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office is committed to helping our citizens keep themselves, their families and their communities safe from crime, the fear of crime and neighborhood decay. Working collaboratively with other local law enforcement officials, we help establish networking systems, provide educational materials, programs, training and safety tutorials to promote pro-active crime prevention in our community.
Through an active Community Oriented Policing philosophy, we believe that individual citizens should be empowered to work with law enforcement to help keep themselves safe. A number of programs we offer will provide tools that you can use to learn crime prevention strategies, engage other community members, coordinate with local law enforcement to aid in crime prevention, and to build and strength relationships.
All programs and trainings offered through the Crime Prevention Unit are always free of charge.
Celebrate Safe Communities
Celebrate the month of October as Crime Prevention Month in communities making a difference. Celebrate Safe Communities (CSC) is crime prevention done the right way – local people working with local law enforcement to address local issues. CSC spotlights communities’ crime prevention efforts, enhances public awareness of vital crime prevention and safety messages, and recruits year-round support for ongoing prevention activities that help people keep neighborhoods safe from crime and prepared for any emergency. Start by connecting with the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office!
Identity Theft Information
The Federal Trade Commission provides up-to-date information and publications regarding Identity Theft: what it is, what to do if you think you might be an identity theft victim, and ways to protect your identity to avoid becoming a victim. To learn mnore about identity theft, go to the FTC website link: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-identity-theft.
Operation Identification
The Operation ID program allows law enforcement to detect, identify, and return stolen or lost property to its rightful owner. Simply mark valuable property with an identification number using an engraver, a carbide-tipped pen, or indelible marker.
You can use your Driver’s License Number, including the two-letter state code, or a number you create if you prefer. NEVER USE YOUR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER FOR THIS PURPOSE. Marking your valuables in this way makes your property easy to identify, more difficult for a thief to sell or pawn, and easier for law enforcement to return to you if recovered after being lost or stolen. Items too small to be marked should be photographed or videotaped and kept in a safe place on a CD, flash card, or memory sticks.
Home & Business Security Survey
Download the Home Security Resource for a survey that outlines ways to prevent theft and home intrusion by “target-hardening” your residence. Take the survey and see what you can do to better protect yourself and your family.
Download the Business Security Resource for a check list that will help you determine how secure your business is.
For a FREE home or business security assessment contact our crime prevention coordinator at 719-520-7151.
Quick Reference Phone List
Download the “Quick Reference Phone List” resource and keep it by your home telephone for ease in reaching various community agencies. Take the time to enter the list into your cell phone to be prepared for emergencies.
Below is a list of web links to other agencies that provide valuable crime prevention information:
- National Crime Prevention Council — http://www.ncpc.org
- This is the home of McGruff the Crime Dog with his trademarked saying: “Take a Bite Out of Crime.” This website is full of good ideas and ways that families can participate in crime prevention activities.
- Department of Homeland Security — http://www.dhs.gov
- Created shortly after the terrorist attack on 9-11, in addition to having counterterrorism information, this site offers preparedness, response, and recovery information and publications.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency — http://www.fema.gov
- Although this agency provides support for victims of natural disasters, such as fire, flood, earthquakes, etc., it has information concerning preventative measures and ideas that should be part of any family’s emergency plan.
- National Neighborhood Watch Program — http://www.nnw.org/
This is the website for National Neighborhood Watch, working in conjunction with the National Sheriff’s Association. This site provides information and publications about Neighborhood Watch as well as a history of the program’s origins.
Pet Safety
Our pets are multi-talented wonders. For example, a cat’s purr and soft fur can instantly reduce your stress and anxiety. Similarly, you get exercise and socialization with other folks when walking your dogs. Pets give us so much love, and we love them right back. It’s our job to keep them safe and secure at home. Of course, some pets are intrepid, daring or outrageous. Cuddle bunnies at night, they may be escape artists during the day when you leave them home alone. No worries! You can still keep them safe and happy, especially with the help of technology. – https://www.security.org/resources/keeping-pets-safe/.