Dallas CWEB

The best way to take an active part in crime prevention is to participate in a crime watch in which each person becomes more alert and aware of what is going on within the area. Participation in a crime watch is not an activity that requires a lot of time. It means only that each person adopts a more observant attitude on a daily basis. Neighbors will get to know each other better, and as a result, will become more aware of strange cars, persons or circumstances which might be a danger and require calling the police. The following guidelines have proven to be successful:

• Get to know your neighbors. Know their names and be able to identify them and their vehicles by sight.

• Maintain a map or block directory of the immediate neighborhood with names, addresses, emails and phone numbers.

• Make the home as burglar proof as possible.

• Mark all property for identification by using the Operation ID Program.

• Be observant and watch over neighbors’ homes, especially when they are not home or are out of town.

• Write down license plate numbers and descriptions of suspicious looking vehicles and/or good descriptions of any suspicious persons. Immediately report them to the police at 911.

• Report information that may be helpful to your Crime Watch Chairperson.

• Call the neighborhood voicemail (if you have one) on a regular basis to keep informed.

• Check your Nextdoor internet communications regularly.

• Educate children in crime prevention and teach respect for law enforcement officers.

• Volunteer to help your crime watch organization in any way that you can, whether it involves your time or financial support.

There are a variety of illegal activities that can operate in your neighborhood. Spotting these and reporting them to police is crucial to keep crime from proliferating in your neighborhood. Here are a few to look out for:

Trap House

This term is used to define a crack house, or the surroundings in which a drug dealer (trap star) would use to make their profit. Also referred to as “up tha way”. Trap houses have very little to no furniture, very little to no food or kitchen items but lots of take out containers, and very little to no clothing. The dealers Continue reading →

All too often citizens are confused about what they should report and why, so it is important to train citizens through a variety of reporting activities. After reviewing this section, participants will be able to appropriately use the who, what, when, where, and how of reporting. Often citizens ask officers “Why should I get involved?” or “How am I going to benefit by reporting suspicious activity?” Although the answers may seem obvious, it must be clearly communicated to the public that they are an essential component in protecting our communities. Sometimes our citizens receive mixed signals regarding what to report and when to report it. Other times they simply do not Continue reading →