NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

MISSISSAUGA

HOW NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH STARTED

Neighbourhood Watch started in Detroit, Michigan around 1970; It was formed and integrated by local law enforcement and crime prevention associations on a large scale in Canada in 1982; Safe City Mississauga has been the leading organization delivering Neighbourhood Watch in Mississauga since 1992 although the City of Mississauga has had Neighbourhood Watch since the early 80s and informally before that date.

HOW CRIME OCCURS

Target

Desire

Opportunity

WHAT IS NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH?

A national community program designed to statistically reduce neighbourhood crime such as break and enter, theft of auto, theft from auto, and property damage; Helps build stronger, safer communities through training and education on crime prevention strategies and initiatives; Providing signage and decals to make it known to potential offenders that the neighbourhood is protected by Neighbourhood Watch

WHAT NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH IS NOT ABOUT

HOW DOES IT WORK & WHY SHOULD I PARTICIPATE?

Protecting one anothers property by being alert of suspicious activity since most crimes against property occur when you are absent from your home; Teaches residents how to recognize suspicious activity and report crime How to make your homes and property less inviting or desirable to thieves; Learning how to participate in Operation Identification and Crime Stoppers;

C.P.T.E.D
CRIME PREVENTION THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN

CPTED RESULTS
Conducted January 24, 2012- CAPRI GATE Positives:
Good street with no graffiti on hydro boxes which are targets for vandalism Good visibility from adjacent streets Houses are well designed to ensure good sight lines to and from the houses Minimal landscaping; therefore trees and hedges do not create areas of concealment or blocked visibility

Things to Keep in Mind:

Keep aware of the naturalization marshland at Arbourview Terrace and Churchill Meadows Examined large hydro box on Arbourview Terrace Park nearby and identified graffiti, broken glass, empty LCBO bag which is evidence that this spot is used as a loitering point; as residents of this area, keep an eye on this spot since it lacks sufficient sight lines Mail box on Deepwood (nearby) was vandalized with graffiti

CPTED RESULTS
Conducted January 24, 2012- WILMAR CRESCENT Positives:
Well kept houses that display a lived-in look to mitigate attractiveness of potential offenders

Things to Keep in Mind:

Keep a watchful eye on the mailbox area on Wilmar Crescent since there was graffiti on the mailbox and an empty liquor bottle behind this area which is slightly concealed due to its location and elevation of land The activity node of the pathway leading to Unity (and the rink) displays signs of loitering (empty pizza box found in the most concealed spot of this pathway) perhaps trimming back some of the bushes that are overgrown could mitigate this Makeshift bong made of water bottle found on this pathway; deviant behaviour could lead to other unwanted behaviours so be aware of what happens in this spot Graffiti found on mailbox on Wilmar Cresc. And on the nearby mailbox on Galbraith- I would advise reporting this ASAP to reduce chances of recidivism Note on trimming back trees and bushes close to windows/doors

REPORT GRAFFITI
http://www5.mississauga.ca/CORPSVCS/enforce/ bylaw/graffiti_form.htm

BENEFITS
Partnership with the Peel Regional Police and Safe City Mississauga Home Security Presentation for participating residents (presented by Peel Regional Police) Community Safety Workshops Reduction in Crime Neighbourhood Watch Signage and Decals for your community Little time commitment from members

WHAT IS MY ROLE?

Fill out a Crime Incident Report Form containing a description of the suspect, their vehicle and the incident and notify Safe City Mississauga If you see or hear anything unusual or suspicious on your neighbours property, contact your neighbour immediately. If they are not home, telephone Police on their behalf and follow Polices advice Ask your neighbours to pick up newspapers, mow lawn and shovel snow if youre going away so they can assist in helping your home have a lived in look while you are gone Give your home a lived-in look: place your lights on timers both inside and outside the residence; have your mail held at Canada Post if on vacation; trim back trees so doors and windows are visible from inside and out; lock windows and doors; tempered glass; deadbolt locks; fresh alarm stickers; solid hardwood doors

HOW TO START A NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

STEP 1. A resident contacts Safe City Mississauga to start a Neighbourhood Watch STEP 2. We provide the interested resident with a Neighbourhood Watch Information Package and canvass form STEP 3. Resident determines the 10-15 closest houses to them by looking outside front door (may be larger depending on the street, townhouse complex or condo building) STEP 4. The resident asks their neighbours if they are also interested in implementing a Neighbourhood Watch and has them fill out their information on the Canvass Form STEP 5. The resident provides Safe City Mississauga with the completed canvass forms (via fax, mail or email) STEP 6. A Set-up meeting will be held at a time and location convenient for neighbours with Safe City Mississauga and Peel Regional Police

HOW TO START A NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH CONTINUED

If the resident is completely uncomfortable canvassing themselves STEP 1. Safe City Mississauga will ask the resident to pick up post cards to distribute to their neighbours STEP 2. The post card will notify residents that there is someone in their area interested in starting a Neighbourhood Watch and ask residents to mail back the post card with their information, notifying us they are interested in a Neighbourhood Watch IMPORTANT NOTE: 50% or more participation/sign-up from the Neighbourhood is required in order for a Neighbourhood Watch to begin

AFTER CANVASSING
A Set-up meeting will be held at a time and location convenient for neighbours with Safe City Mississauga and Peel Regional Police Receive residential decals Receive street signage Classified as an active Neighbourhood Watch Support from Safe City Mississauga Peel Regional Police Safety Alerts

9WHEN TO USE 9-11

How to report a Crime When it is NOT an emergency:
Call (905) 453-3311 and ask for communications

POLICE when a crime is in progress FIRE when a fire is in progress AMBULANCE medical emergency
*NOTE: 9-1-1 Can be called from ANY phone (landline, cell, car, payphone)

WHAT TO REPORT (AND LOOK FOR!)

VEHICLE: VEHICLE LICENSE NUMBER COLOR MAKE OF VEHICLE DISTINQUISHING MARKS SUSPECT PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION NUMBER OF SUSPECTS SEX AGE CLOTHING, WEAPONS, ANIMALS DIRECTION OF TRAVEL Notify dispatcher where suspects are heading Stay on the line with he dispatcher until they notify you it is ok to hang up TYPE OF OFFENCE

PROVIDE AS MUCH INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE!!!

QUESTIONS?