Folsom Neighborhood Watch
A Community Program of the Folsom Police Department

Neighborhood Watch was created to encourage citizen involvement in fighting crime. It is the most effective means of keeping crime out of our neighborhoods. The concept is simple:

• Lock your doors and windows.
• Recognize suspicious/criminal activity.
• Report anything appearing suspicious.

When citizens ban together as a neighborhood watch group and combine their efforts with law enforcement, we have created a crime prevention partnership. The active participation of citizens in cooperation with law enforcement involves:

• Neighbors getting to know each other and working together.
• Citizens being trained to recognize and report suspicious activities.
• Implementation of crime prevention techniques such as personal safety, Operation Identification, home and vehicle security.

If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch in your area, contact our Crime Prevention unit, Rosie Kessell at (916) 351-3409.

What is Neighborhood Watch?

Neighborhood Watch is a self-help crime prevention program that enlists the active involvement of community residents. As a member of your own Folsom Neighborhood Watch group, you can improve the quality of life in your own neighborhood, reduce opportunities for crime by looking out for your neighbors, act as extra eyes and ears for your Police Department, and take the responsibility of reporting anything suspicious to the Folsom Police Department at 355-7231.

Who should be in a Neighborhood Watch group?

Folsom Neighborhood Watch is for every responsible person in every neighborhood in the city. Typically a group is the homes which are within visual range of each other. Your communication with the Police Department and with your neighbors creates a powerful deterrent to those who would harm you or your property.

As a Folsom Neighborhood Watch participant you assume certain responsibilities:

• Get to know your neighbors, their vehicles and their children
• Be a good neighbor, maintain your property and your home
• Cooperate and communicate with your neighbors and keep an eye on their property when they're gone
• Be alert to neighborhood activity and traffic entry and exit
• Attend Neighborhood Watch meetings
• Secure your home and property as detailed in the handouts and presentations
• Participate in a Home Security Survey
• Have a record of all your valuables; engrave, photograph or videotape them
• Be willing to notify the Folsom Police Department when suspicious activity occurs
• Notify your alarm company, if you have one, and keep contact names and numbers current. Keep your alarm permit up to date and your system functioning properly.

How do I start a Neighborhood Watch group?

• Contact our Crime Prevention Unit, Rosie Kessell (916) 351-3409, or the Volunteer desk at (916) 351-3536.
• Take the flyers and brochures she provides to your neighbors and ask them if they are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch program in your area. Ask them to read the material and give you a call with their response. Once you have enough interested people who want a Neighborhood Watch program, coordinate a meeting date with the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator.
• Distribute flyers to your neighbors announcing the upcoming organizational meeting. Be sure to include the date, time, contact phone number, and location.

Block Captain duties vary in each community, but here are some typical duties:

• Be the spokesperson for the group
• Serve as liaison between the Folsom Police Department and your Neighborhood Watch group
• Organize and arrange your own Neighborhood Watch meetings (neighbors should share the responsibility of hosting these meetings)
• Maintain a master list of all members and important information about them

• Delegate work assignments such as:

  Welcome new neighbors
  Vacation Check
  Block parents
  Neighborhood Patrol
  Secretarial duties
  Developing & maintaining block maps
  Distribution of materials

Once you have a Neighborhood Watch group established, the City will install Neighborhood Watch signs.

WatchMail Uses E-mail to Share Information Quickly

WatchMail is an optional extension of the Folsom Neighborhood Watch program where participants use e-mail to quickly and easily share information about suspicious activity, possible crimes or threats to the neighborhood.

Neighborhood block captains appoint a host to establish an e-mail list for the group. The host is on a group list with the Police Department for updates, crime alerts, etc. The block captain promotes the WatchMail program at block meetings and encourages members to report anything suspicious through e-mail messages.

Suspicious activity and actual crimes are shared with WatchMail members AFTER they have been reported to the Folsom Police Department. All incidents are always reported to the authorities first.

Watch Mail is typically used to share information about:

• Aggressive and suspicious solicitors
• Speeders, reckless drivers, stop sign runners
• Vandalism of mailboxes, lawns, houses, cars
• Theft and burglary of property and cars
• Attempted break-ins
• Loose dogs
• Suspicious vehicles and people
• Ringing burglar alarms at houses or cars
• Neighborhood Watch meeting announcements

Police Volunteers Provide Vacation Checks

While you are away on vacation, Citizens Assisting Public Safety (CAPS) volunteers will regularly check your home and property at no charge to you. CAPS volunteers will survey your property for anything unusual. They will check doors and windows, and walk around your home to be sure everything is secure. If they see or hear anything suspicious, they will advise the Police Department and remain in the area until an officer arrives. Once the officer has evaluated the concern, your emergency contact person may be notified. Upon your return, you will receive a letter to let you know of any problems.

A Vacation Check application can be obtained at the Folsom Police Department at 46 Natoma Street.