We have all seen this sign in neighborhoods throughout San Jose. The Neighborhood Watch sign reminds us that crime affects everyone. It can endanger our personal safety, damage property, create fear and lower our quality of life. While it is important to be cautious, living in constant fear degrades the spirit.
For over 28 years, the San Jose Police Department (SJPD) Crime Prevention unit has been a resource and partner for communities to learn about averting crime and improving neighborhood safety. The unit is an important bridge that builds trust between the SJPD and the public. The free training and presentations by Crime Prevention Specialists include information about neighborhood crime issues and brainstorming ideas on how to solve and prevent them. The Crime Prevention Specialists answer questions and give referrals to the general public regarding matters related to crime prevention and quality of life issues.
Additionally, the Crime Prevention Specialists go into communities that have been identified by Chief Eddie Garcia as "hot spots" (areas of extreme recurring crime) and form partnerships with residents, businesses, and schools. The focus is on community policing efforts and building community relationships, rather than only going into a community, giving a presentation, then leaving. The goal is to provide education, awareness, and to build trust, especially in neighborhoods where people have been afraid to speak out against crime.
Neighborhood Watch is just one of many programs administered by the SJPD Crime Prevention unit. "We also do business watches, personal safety for all ages, identity theft training and other crime prevention presentations to groups," comments Esther Mota, Crime Prevention Supervisor. "We provide presentations at high schools and middle schools on anti-bullying and cyber-bullying. We are teaching students and their parents about internet and digital safety. We conduct gang and drug awareness training. And, did I mention that our services are free to the public?"
Click the following button for some tips from the SJPD Crime Prevention unit.
The SJPD Crime Prevention unit also provides Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). Crime Prevention Specialists go out to businesses, apartment complexes and schools to do assessments and give input on ways they can improve safety to deter criminal behavior. For example, what does the landscaping look like? Are the bushes trimmed low enough so no one can hide or conceal dangerous items? The specialists also examine if there is appropriate lighting or sufficient security in a facility.
The Crime Prevention unit supports patrol officers. When a captain or officer attends a community meeting to address concerns, the officer will often reach out to the Crime Prevention unit. Esther Mota comments, "When they go to a meeting, the residents may have quality of life issues—auto thefts, burglaries, blight and so forth. The captain will reach out to us, and we will accompany the captain and help with a presentation to inform the public. Often, the residents aren't aware of resources or how they can be involved in helping make changes in their community. The Crime Prevention Specialist can later return to the community to conduct a training and build a relationship with residents."
Among the many officer-supported projects involving Crime Prevention unit, one of the most enjoyable is the SJPD Ice Cream truck. It lets the community, especially the younger generation, interact with the SJPD officers in a relaxed environment, sharing a fun experience, and building trust.
The Crime Prevention unit draws on a wealth of resources that it can direct the public to. These include partnerships with the County of Santa Clara (the District Attorney's office and Department of Public Health), the school districts in San Jose, the Mayor's Gang Prevention Task Force, non-profit organizations, faith-based groups and neighborhood groups.
When you call the SJPD Crime Prevention unit, you are speaking to one of several SJPD Crime Prevention Specialists assigned to specific divisions (areas) in San Jose. Crime Prevention Specialists are the liaisons between your community and the SJPD. Click the following button to view the four divisions.
In addition to attending neighborhood and community events, the Crime Prevention unit hosts and plans National Night Out. All SJPD units support Crime Prevention in this major event. This nationwide event brings neighborhoods and residents together. Last year, ten thousand people participated with over a hundred neighborhood organizers registering for the event. The registered neighborhoods held a variety of venues including block parties and gatherings at local parks. But, the main emphasis was for residents to communicate, meet new neighbors and build relationships.
National Night Out also sends a message to individuals trying to target a neighborhood that they should think twice before attempting criminal activities. The individuals will see that a neighborhood is organized and that the residents communicate with each other. Most of all, the event demonstrates that the residents have taken ownership of their neighborhood.
The SJPD Crime Prevention programs and services provide you with the tools to participate in crime prevention efforts in your neighborhood. The safety of the community is a shared responsibility and crime prevention is everybody’s business. Start building your safety toolkit today.
Want to become a member of SJPD? Visit www.SJPDYOU.com.
Credits:
Photos by Brook Dain, John Reinert, and Curt Fukuda