Full Notification

Hello Neighbors,

The Grapevine Police Department is focused on building, strengthening, and maintaining long term relationships with the community we serve. With this in mind, on Wednesday 05/24/17 at 6:30 PM, we are hosting an open meeting concerning Neighborhood Watch and current crime trends, at The REC Banquet Hall (left entrance). Since the beginning of the year we've had several neighborhoods inquire about starting a Neighborhood Watch as a Coordinator and/or member.

We have a number of Neighborhood Watch programs currently in existence but over the years some contact information has either been lost or changed. We are certainly interested in getting back to the basics in regards to ensuring an organized, concentrated effort to mitigate crime. A successful Neighborhood Watch program relies on FOUR C's; Communication, Coordination, Cooperation and Collaboration in order to be effective. Neighborhood Watch works like this:

1. Neighbors circle the wagon and band together to form a Phone/Email Tree.
2. Participants receive training in order to recognize suspicious activities, sounds and/or smells etc.
3. Participants are encouraged to report any suspicious activity.
4. Law Enforcement responds and takes appropriate action.
5. Resulting actions send a message to criminals letting them know that communities are organized and fighting back.

With the inception of social media such as Nextdoor, grass roots programs such as Neighborhood Watch have lost a bit of luster. The downside to solely using platforms such as Nextdoor for Neighborhood Watch is Law Enforcement tends to be the last to know about prevailing issues or concerns. As many of you know, Nextdoor posts can generate sufficient traction and develop a life of their own which can be very problematic.

The benefits of having an active Neighborhood Watch program are:

1. Create a sense of security, well-being and reduction of fear of crime because you know you and your neighbors will look out for each other because you are taught ongoing preventive measures that substantially decrease the likelihood you and your community are targeted.

2. You have greater access to criminal activity information. Be the first to know rather than the last to know. Neighborhood Watch programs are designed to keep participants informed of crime trends and patterns so you and your community will be better prepared to spot criminal activity.

3. Access to Neighborhood Watch (Community Watch) signs on your street and labels or decals on your windows which conveys to the criminal that (a) you are not an easy target, that (b) they are probably being watched and (c) you have taken the steps necessary to deter crime in your neighborhood. Convicted burglars have indicated they often avoid neighborhoods that have Neighborhood Watch (Community Watch) signs posted.

4. Address issues of mutual interest by getting together with your neighbors on a regular basis (monthly, quarterly, or whatever you wish).

To start a Neighborhood Watch (Community Watch) program, re-register your neighborhood or become a participant please click the following link:

http://www.grapevinetexas.gov/FormCenter/Police-2/Neighborhood-Watch-104

If you, your neighborhood, or community group would to like learn more about Neighborhood Watch please plan on meeting with us as we reinvigorate this invaluable program. Dinner and refreshments will be provided so please RSVP (Deadline - Friday, 5/19/17) by contacting Sr Officer Roath at 817.421.2192 or email [email protected] so we can plan accordingly.

Thanks for making Grapevine a SAFE community!

Respectfully,

Sergeant Jason Keller