NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM

Crime is one of the most serious and destructive problems in society today. Crime affects everyone and is a community problem. It is everyone's responsibility to assist the police in fighting the war on crime.

The Redford Township Police Department is continually striving to provide the services required in our community. Do your part to combat crime … get involved … assist the police by practicing proven crime prevention techniques.

WHAT IS A WATCH MEMBER

The security of the township and its citizens depends on the people themselves. No police department can effectively protect life and property without the support and cooperation of the citizens it serves.

The Neighborhood Watch Program establishes a formal network for concerned citizens to report emergency problems to the Redford Township Police Department. The police need your help, your eyes, and your ears. Criminals cannot, and will not, operate in areas where the citizens are on the alert.

HOW DOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM WORK

A person wishing to become a member of the Neighborhood Watch Program should contact the Crime Prevention Bureau of the Redford Township Police Department at (313) 387-2547.

If there is an existing block group in the neighborhood, the caller will be advised of the date and location of the next meeting. A new member will be introduced to the program at the meeting.

If there is no block group in a neighborhood, the following steps must be taken to organize a block group:

1. Someone must step forward to coordinate the soliciting of members. On each block in the neighborhood, at least fifty percent (50%) of the homeowners must agree to participate.

2. After compiling a list of participating neighbors, a representative must contact the Crime Prevention Bureau to establish a location for the meetings, and a date for the first meeting. At that first meeting, a police department representative will explain the Neighborhood Watch Program, and assign the group a block number.

3. A Block Captain is needed to be the liaison between the group and the police department. The Block Captain is responsible for distributing meeting notification notices.

Only the Crime Prevention Officer has access to information about Neighborhood Watch Block Group members! In this way, Watch members remain anonymous, if they desire, when reporting crimes.

DESCRIBING A PERSON

When describing a person, you are attempting to distinguish this person from all others. It's best to describe from the top down.

Race - white, black, Spanish, etc.

Sex - male, female.

Age - 18 to 20 yrs., 30 to 40 yrs., etc.

Clothing - type color, hat, coat, shirt, pants, shoes, etc.

Height - 5'8" to 5'10", etc.

Weight - 140 to 150 lbs., etc.

Hair - color, style, length, beard, mustache, sideburns, etc.

Build - fat, thin, large, petite, etc.

Other - scars, tattoos, moles, etc.

DESCRIBING A VEHICLE

1. LICENSE NUMBER - most important.

2. Color(s) - two tone, three tone, etc.

3. Body Style - 2 door, 4 door, pickup, van, etc.

4. Make - Chevrolet, Ford, Oldsmobile, Plymouth, other.

5. Year - If not known, new or old.

6. Any outstanding features - damage, rust, clean, dirty, antenna, bumper sticker, sun roof, vanity plate, etc.

HOW TO REPORT A CRIME OR EMERGENCY TO LAW ENFORCEMENT

EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

A YES answer to any of the following questions would indicate any emergency situation:

• Is there an injury or possible injury?
  
  
• Is a crime being committed or about to be committed?
  
  
• Is someone asking for help?
  
  
• Is the suspect still at the scene?
  
  
• Is there threat of impending danger or major damage?
  
  
• Is there a hazardous condition which could cause injury or death to citizens or their property, and which will not go away unless action is taken?
  
  
• Will immediate response prevent possible injury, damage, or result in the apprehension of the perpetuator?

Anything you think needs police attention … call!

Click here for detailed instructions as to what you need to observe and provide to law enforcement regarding:
a suspicious stranger or vehicle.

HOW TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY CALL

1. Stay calm. Don't get excited. Don't wait for someone else to call.

2. Tell the person who answers the phone exactly what is wrong, like this: "…there was just a car accident in front of my home."

3. Tell them the exact address where the emergency is, including your apartment number if you live in an apartment.

4. Tell them the phone number you are calling from.

5. Tell them your name.

6. DO NOT HANG UP … until the person on the telephone tells you to. They may need to ask you more questions to help the fire, police or ambulance find you. They also will tell you what to do until help arrives.

REPORTING A CRIME OR EMERGENCY

When reporting a crime or emergency to your law enforcement agency, the following information is needed:

1. Your name and address.

2. The type of crime or emergency.

3. The exact location of the situation.

4. The description of the vehicle and/or suspect involved.

5. The direction of flight of the vehicle and/or suspect involved.

6. The time of occurrence.

7. Any weapon used. If so, what type.

The above seven requested items are very important; however, do not wait to call until you can answer all of them. Call as soon as you observe said crime or emergency, then attempt to obtain the answers to numbers four (4) thru seven (7).

EXAMPLE OF REPORTING A CRIME

This is Mrs. Jones at 2133 Volunteer Avenue SW. Someone is breaking into a car parked in front of my house. The car is a late model dark blue Ford two-door.

The subject breaking in is a white male, 20-23 years old, 5'10 to 6' tall, medium build, 165 to 175 lbs., brown shoulder length hair, wearing a blue jean jacket, blue jeans, and white tennis shoes with blue stripes. He just ran north on Volunteer Avenue carrying a radio taken from the car.