Strategies & Suggestions for a Safer Community

Virginia Beach Police Department : Operations Division

Community Engagement Unit

757-385-1006

Establishes A Sense Of Community Cohesiveness –Unity Of Purpose

Establishes Contact With The Police Department And Other Neighborhood Services.

Good Neighbor Program, It Is Not Just About Crime.

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Define Crime Prevention

Identify The Goal Of Crime Prevention

Discuss What Agencies Are Involved In Making A Successful Neighborhood Watch (NW)Program

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Understand The Crime Prevention Triangle

Explain The Purpose Of A NW Program

Discover The Requirements To Establish A NW Program And The Roles Within

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The Most Widely Accepted Definition Of Crime Prevention Is:

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The Anticipation, Recognition And Appraisal Of A Crime Risk And The Initiation Of

Some Action To Remove Or Reduce It.

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To Provide For A Safer City By Preventing And/Or Reducing Crime Through Educating The Public And Forming Community Partnerships.

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The Stakeholders are:

The Virginia Beach Police Department

The Community – Each of You!!!!

NW is Designed to Enhance Neighborhood Security, Heighten The Community’s Power Of Observation, Encourage Mutual Assistance, and Communication Among Neighbors

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1. Improve Neighborhood Cohesiveness.

2. Reduce Fear Of Crime In The Community.

3. Increase Awareness Of Crime Through Informational Programs.

4. Increase Natural Surveillance In The Community.

5. Reduce And Prevent Crime.

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1. Make Recommendations To Help Make Your Property More Secure.

2. Have A Neighborhood Action Plan.

- Watch Each Other’s Property- Report Suspicious Activities

3. Encourage Citizens To Report Crime.

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Know Your Neighbors

Be Alert To Unfamiliar Faces And Their Activities.

Make Note Of Suspicious Vehicles.

Call In Suspicious Activity Immediately to Police via the Non-emergency Number 385-5000.

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Burglaries Occur Frequently During Daylight Hours On Weekdays.

Criminals Are Watching Your Patterns And Behavior.

Each Concerned Citizen Is Another Pair Of Eyes.

Close & Lock All Doors And Windows.

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9-1-1 FOR EMERGENCIES

OR

385-5000FOR NON-EMERGENCIES

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BUT…

their actions and their behaviors can be.

What are they doing? What are they saying? What are they wearing? What are they carrying?

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Persons Loitering

Strange Cars

Strangers Entering Unoccupied House

Broken Doors & Windows

Juveniles Hanging Out

Persons In Distress

Any Suspicious Activity

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Strangers Going Door To Door

Forcing Entrance & Entering Home

Detaching Mechanical Parts From A Vehicle

Wooded Areas

Peeping Into Cars

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Static Watch –Observe and Report

Situational Awareness–

Walking Running Bicycling

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Action Driven Neighbors

Coordinator/Block Captains/Watchers

Training – Observation Skills And Crime Prevention

Communications –Telephone/Email Tree

Law Enforcement Support

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Coordinator

Block Captains

Block Watchers

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Choose A Coordinator:

Should Be A Motivator

Should Be A Leader Or Perceived Leader

Should Be Willing To Devote Their Time: Must Attend Monthly CAC Meeting Or Have A Designee Attend The Meeting.

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Coordinates NW Meetings –Suggest Once A Quarter

Coordinate Meeting Location (Home, Clubhouse, Rec Center, Etc.)

Liaison Between The Neighborhood & The VBPD Community Engagement Unit.

Distributes Literature.

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Forwards Info To Block Captains For The Watchers.

Provide Yearly Update Information To The Community Engagement Officer.

Organize The Communication Tree

Coordinate 2-way Communication Between Police Liaison And Community

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Determine And Arrange Block Meetings As Necessary.

Liaison Between The Block Watchers And The Coordinator.

Forward Messages To Block Watchers From The Coordinator.

Sign-Up New Residents To Join The Program.

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Recommend A Minimum Of 4 Per Year (Quarterly)

First Meeting – Get Acquainted, Provide Handouts, Statistics, Etc.

Recommend Meeting Be No More Than An Hour

Set A Date For The Next Meeting

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Inform New Residents Of The Program

Hold Quarterly Meetings

Encourage Neighbors To Participate

Maintain The Communication Tree

Plan Neighborhood Activities National Night Out Cookouts

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Act As Eyes And Ears For The Police

Be A Good Neighbor

Report Crime In Their Neighborhoods

SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING

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50% Of Total Households is Required To Begin Program.

15% Of Households Suggested To AttendTraining Sessions.

Training Will Be Provided Online and In Person As Needed. This Can Be Facilitated At Your Location.

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Once Requirements Are Met And The Completed Roster Has Been Turned In:

NW Stickers Can Be Requested Via The Designated Coordinator.

One 2’ X 2’ Reflective Sign Will Be Placed In The Neighborhood By Traffic Engineering Based On Their Standards. The CE Unit Nor The Community Will Decide Where.

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All Neighborhood Watch signs are the property of the City of Virginia Beach. If a neighborhood fails to comply with the expectations previously provided, all signs will be removed!

Additional signs will be determined according to City protocol.

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NOT A Patrolling Vigilante Group

NOT A Citizen Police Department That Confronts Subjects

NOT a clique; the “Us 4 and No More” mentality

NOT the same as the Civic League or HOA.

MPO David J. Nieves

3rd Precinct Representative

dnieves@vbgov.com

757- 385-1338

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MPO Bradley C. Detrich

1st Precinct Representative

bdetrich@vbgov.com

757-385-1371

MPO Jim McElligott

2rd Precinct Representative

jmcellig@vbgov.com

757-385-1330

MPO Shelly D. Bryant

4th Precinct Representative

sbryant@vbgov.com

757-385-1066

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Use A Telephone Or Email Tree

Include The Following Information:

Name Address Phone Number Email Address

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Keep Up With Criminal Activity In Your Community. Obtain Crime Analysis Information From Police

1. Go To Vbgov.Com2. Click On The Search Engine Icon On Top Right Of Page3. Type ePRO In Search Engine4. Click On ePRO Icon– Electronic Police Reports Online5. Click On The Report You Are Interested In:

Neighborhood, Incident, Or Traffic. 6. Click I Agree On The Bottom Of The Usage Agreement Page7. Crime Search Criteria Page. Fill In: Date, Crime, Scope

(Street, Precinct, Neighborhood, Etc. )8. Submit

****You Will Just See The Hundred Block, Not The Exact Address****

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Citizen Services: VB311

"311" is a simple, easy-to-remember telephone number that connects callers with a Citizen Services Call-Taker who can assist them with city information, services, news, and events.

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VB Works App

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Better Communication, Stronger Communities

VB Works is an app the City purchased to turn citizen complaints into productive workflow

- VB Works APP -NW

Examples of things that are reported via VB Works APP:

Street lights that are out – improve lighting

Roadway issues such as street signs, traffic signals, etc.

Poor roadway conditions – potholes, drainage, etc.

Graffiti existing on city owned or private property

Maintenance needed on public owned property

Deceased animals on or along roadways

Illegal dumping of trash in neighborhoods

Overgrown grass, bushes, trees, etc.

Code enforcement issues existing on private property

Anything that will enhance your community!

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Better Communication = Stronger Communities

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Text “VBTIP” to 274637

www.crimesolvers.com

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https://reportit.leadsonline.com

Serial # or OAN or Pictures

1st PrecinctMunicipal Center, Bldg. 192424 Courthouse Drive1st Tuesday at 7:00 PMExcept July and August

2nd Precinct2nd Police Precinct820 Virginia Beach Blvd2nd Wednesday at 7:00 PMExcept December

3rd PrecinctWilliams Farm Recreation Center5252 Learning Circle3rd Thursday at 7:00 PMExcept December

4th PrecinctGlenwood Community Center2097 Round Hill Road4th Thursday at 7:00 PMExcept November & December

The CAC meetings include representatives from Police, Fire, Code Enforcement and Zoning Departments, Neighborhood Housing & Preservation, Conventions & Visitor Development, Public Works, Offices of the City and Commonwealth’s Attorney, Parks & Recreation, Code Enforcement and Zoning Departments, etc. and all are available to answer the concerns of citizens.

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Data as of May 22, 2017

Total Number of Nextdoor Neighborhoods = 374Total Number of Nextdoor Subscribers = 66,277

Total Number of Households in Virginia Beach = 192,559Claimed Number of Subscriber Households = 50,358Percentage of Total Number of Households = 26%

Population of Virginia Beach = 451,672 (465,000)Percentage of Subscribers by Population = 15%

1st Precinct 18,146 3rd Precinct 14,5652nd Precinct 16,944 4th Precinct 16,572

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Programs include:

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• Neighborhood Watch• Business Watch• Citizens Police Academies• “Every 15 Minutes”• Explorer Post 911• National Night Out• Operation Lookout Expanded• Project Lifesaver• TRIAD – Seniors and Law Enforcement Together• Active Threat Citizens Defense course (A.T.C.D.)• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design• McGruff the Crime Dog• Home / Business Security Assessments

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This program brings the Neighborhood Watch concept to businesses. The program provides businesses with:

Security Assessments Crime Statistics Training for the

Management and their Employees

Link to information about existing crime

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A hybrid of the Neighborhood and Business Watch programs but designed to meet the needs of apartment complexes

Complex staff serve as coordinator

Residents are given the option to join when they sign there lease

Optional Security Assessment for the complex

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WE stands for Witness Electronically

Involves voluntary cooperation with VBPD

Works in conjunction with Neighborhood Watch

Apartment Watch

Business Watch

Provides Officers and Detectives with viable resources to investigate crime

Can be viewed as an integral component of “See Something, Say Something”

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http://sex-offender.vsp.virginia.gov/sor/

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The Community Engagement Unit consists of:

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• 6 Police Officers

• 1 Supervisor

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Precinct Assigned Officers:

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Each Precinct Has A Community Engagement Officer Assigned To It. These Officers Act As A Liaison With The NW Coordinators, Business Owners, Civic Leagues And Many Other Groups Who Call Requesting Presentations On Crime Prevention Topics Or Personal Safety From A Given Precinct And The Community Engagement Unit.

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The program helps houses of worship to provide improved security to protect their parishioners through best practices and training.

Security Assessment

Training for staff, lay leaders and congregants

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C.A.C.s Are Comprised Of Citizens Representing A Cross Section Of Neighborhoods And Businesses Within Each Of The 4 Police Precinct Boundaries.

Meetings Provide A Formalized Process That Facilitates Citizen And Community Cooperation With The Police Department.

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Classes Are Held Weekly in the Evening For 3 hours and Run 12 Weeks. The CPA Provides An Excellent Opportunity For Citizens In The City Of Virginia Beach To Become Familiar With The Day To Day Operations Of Their Police Department.

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Participants Will Gain A Better Understanding Of The Procedures, Guidelines, Responsibilities,

Demands, Personnel, Equipment, Policies And Laws That Guide The Department’s Decision

Making Process.

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This Academy Is Similar To The Citizens’ Police Academy, But Held During The Daytime. It is an 8 week program 1 day per week for 3 hours.

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The Virginia Beach Youth Police Academy provides an excellent opportunity for residents, 14-18 years of age, to become familiar with the day-to-day operations of the police department.

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This enables participants to gain a better understanding of the procedures, guidelines, responsibilities, demands, personnel, equipment, policies, and laws that guide the department's decisions. Participants hear the accounts and experiences of a wide variety of police personnel and will engage in hands-on activities. This class is intended to provide students who may be interested in a career in law enforcement the opportunity to learn more about police operations.

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This Program Offers Real-life Experiences Without The Real-life Risks. Every 15 Minutes, Is An Event Designed To Dramatically Instill Teenagers With The Potentially Dangerous Consequences Of Operating A Motor Vehicle While Being Impaired or distracted. NW

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This Program Challenges Students To Think About Drinking, Personal Safety, And The

Responsibility Of Making Mature Decisions When Lives Are Involved.

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The Concept Of This Program Conveys Someone Is Killed By An Impaired/Distracted Driver Every 15 Mins. The Two Day Program Is Hosted By A High School Each Year And A Fatal Crash Reenactment Is Performed By Students.It Involves:• The Police Department• The Fire Department• General District Courts• The Sheriff’s Office• VBGH• Commonwealth Attorneys’ Office

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A safe way to dispose of Rx and non-Rx drugs as well as sharps.

This is a safe and effective way to :Keep the drugs out of our water supply.

Keep them off the illegal drug market.

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The A.T.C.D. Workshop Is Designed For Citizens To Actively Learn And Train How To Survive During The Minutes It Will Take For Police Response To Neutralize The Threat. This Course Is Designed For Businesses, Schools, Churches, And Every Other Site That May Fall Victim To An Active Threat.NW

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The Virginia Beach Police Department Charters The Law Enforcement Explorer Post. The Program Involves Students Between The Ages Of 14 And 21. These Young Men And Women Have An Interest In Law Enforcement As A Career.

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Explorers Volunteer For Numerous Community/Police Events

Participate In Ride-along And Other Police-related Functions

Attend Meetings On The 2nd And 4th Thursdays Each Month

In 2017, The Explorers Volunteered 1271 Hours Of Community Service In A 12-month Span

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The “Operation Lookout Expanded” Program Is A Grant Which Provides Funds For The Purchase And Installation Of

Large-view Peepholes. These Peepholes Are Free To All Citizens Age 50 Or Older. The Program Goal Is To Make

Seniors In Our City Feel Safer In Their Homes.

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Project Lifesaver Is A National, Proactive, Electronic Tracking Program Used To Assist In Locating People With Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia And Related Disorders, And Children With Down Syndrome Or Autism Spectrum Disorder Who Wander From Home And Become Lost.

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TRIAD Is A National Association That Began In 1988 When The AARP, The International Assoc. Of Chiefs Of Police And The National Sheriffs' Assoc. All Signed A Cooperative Agreement To Work Together To Reduce Both Criminal Victimization And Unwarranted Fear Of Crime Affecting Older Persons.

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-The Virginia Beach TRIAD Consists Of The Sheriff, The Chief Of Police, The AARP And Senior Or Retired Volunteers In The Community. These Representatives Meet Monthly.

-Seniors And Law Enforcement Together

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C.rime P.revention T.hroughE.nvironmentalD.esign

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The Concept Is That The Effective Planning And Design Of Our Environment Helps Us To Feel Safer And Reduces Opportunities For Criminal Acts To Occur. CPTED Principles Can Be Applied In Both Existing And New Developments.

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- The CPTED Officer Reviews Construction Plans To Ensure That The Property Will Use Natural Surveillance, Natural Access Control And Territoriality To Create A Safer Environment For All. CPTED Can And Should Be Used In New Development And To Improve Existing Development.

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Four Times A Year The Community Engagement Unit Puts Out A Crime Newsletter. These Newsletters Are Given To The Police Department, Every Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, The Public Libraries, Citizens’ Police Academy Graduates, And Emailed To Many Others..

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Please go on to the next page

to complete registration.

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