Full Notification

Nature of Incident: Moorpark Police Department to Utilize “Nextdoor” Neighborhood Watch

Location: City of Moorpark

Date & Time: April 14, 2016 at 10:00 A.M.

Unit(s) Responsible: Moorpark Police Department Beat Coordinator

Narrative:

In an effort to facilitate a virtual Neighborhood Watch program and help foster neighbor-to-neighbor communications, the Moorpark Police Department has partnered with Nextdoor (www.nextdoor.com), the first private social network for neighborhoods.

Nextdoor is free for residents and for the City. Each neighborhood creates its own private Nextdoor website, accessible only to residents of that neighborhood. Moorpark residents can use Nextdoor to get to know their neighbors, ask questions, and exchange local advice and recommendations. Neighbors who use Nextdoor share information about neighborhood watch and safety issues, local events, school activities, plumber and babysitter recommendations, upcoming garage sales, lost pets, and much more.

Neighborhoods establish and self-manage their own Nextdoor website. Information shared on each Nextdoor site is only visible to members who live in the neighborhood and who have verified their address. The Moorpark Police Department will be able to post important information, such as crimes occurring in a specific neighborhood within the city. The Police Department will not be able to access communications between neighbors or other private content. In today’s society, it is vital for neighbors to come together and look out for one another. Nextdoor will make it easy for neighbors to establish a virtual neighborhood watch and help combat crime and foster positive interactions with neighbors and the police.

The Moorpark Police Department uses several social media tools to communicate critical information to the community. Nixle, Twitter and VC Alert are our primary tools used to disseminate information. Nextdoor will serve as an additional social media outreach to the residents of Moorpark.

Nextdoor was specifically designed to make neighbors feel comfortable sharing information with one another in order to help build stronger communities. All members must verify they live within the neighborhood. Information shared on Nextdoor is password protected and cannot be accessed by those outside the neighborhood or found on Google or other search engines.

If you are interested in joining Nextdoor, visit their website at www.nextdoor.com and enter your home address. If Nextdoor is already launched in your area, you can immediately sign up. If your neighborhood has not yet been established, set up your neighborhood and encourage neighbors join.

If you have questions about the Nextdoor program or how to get started, please contact Danielle Styskal with Nextdoor at 415-399-7992 or [email protected]. For Moorpark Police Department Neighborhood Watch questions, please contact Senior Deputy Becky Purnell at (805) 299-1504 or [email protected].

Prepared by: Senior Deputy Becky Purnell

News Release Date: April 14, 2016

Media Follow-Up Contact: Senior Deputy Becky Purnell (805) 299-1504

Approved by: Captain John Reilly

Ventura County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $1,000 reward for information, which leads to the arrest and criminal complaint against the person(s) responsible for this crime. The caller may remain anonymous. The call is not recorded. Call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

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