Santa Cruz CountySanta Cruz CountySheriff’s OfficeSheriff’s Office

Neighborhood Watch PresentationNeighborhood Watch Presentation

North Rodeo Gulch & surrounding North Rodeo Gulch & surrounding communitycommunity

Date 11/03/2011 6:30pmDate 11/03/2011 6:30pm

Sheriff Department IntroSheriff Department Intro

Sergeant Stefan FishSergeant Stefan Fish

Home SafetyHome Safety

How do burglars break into your home?

Ways to access a homeWays to access a home

Open Front door/ Open Front door/ Side doorsSide doors

Open WindowsOpen Windows GarageGarage Sliding glass doorSliding glass door Animal doorAnimal door

KeysKeys Door kicksDoor kicks Garage door openerGarage door opener Breaking the windowBreaking the window Prying door/ window Prying door/ window

with a toolwith a tool Scams (door knock)Scams (door knock)90% During Daytime90% During Daytime

Homes are accessed on average through Homes are accessed on average through unlocked open doors! Crooks are Cowardsunlocked open doors! Crooks are Cowards

How do I Protect Myself?How do I Protect Myself?How do I protect

myself?

Alarm system – Fake/Real

Sturdy doors/ windows

Dogs/ Pet Sitter

Removing valuables from view

•Good Lighting - Motion Sensor Lighting

Trimming bushes/trees from window areas

Locks - Single Cylinder Horizontal Deadbolt BestChain latches (Bad) –**Lock Outside Gates

Put a Hold on Mail/Newspapers whenleaving town for extended periods.

Deter BurglarsDeter Burglars

Vacation Vacation WatchWatch

Fill Out at Our Service Center

Alertness – always stay alert to your surroundings (what is happening around you)

Use Intuition – gut-level feeling

Plan Travel – know where you

are going and the location you are at all times.

Be confident -with a purpose- while walking on the streets

Carry few valuables, hold purse close and tight, keep some cash in case of robberyKeep cell phone handy and well charged at all times

Try not to walk alone, especially at night and keep distance between strangers, cross the street if necessary.

Avoid being stopped, just keep walking.

Personal Personal SafetySafety

*Assaults/Robberies Are Not Common but be aware for safety….

What is suspicious What is suspicious activity?activity?

• Unusual vehicles

• Unknown persons in the area without a purpose

• Unknown persons looking into cars/residential windows

• Unusual door-to-door sales solicitation

• Unusual traffic at all times of the day to one residence

• Excessive/ unusual dog barking

What Should I do?What Should I do?

Steps when reporting incidents/activity:1) Call Sheriff’s non-emergency dispatch number 471-1121

for activity in progress. *Be sure to ask the dispatcher to have the deputy contact you by phone or in person after the call to learn what the deputy learned during the investigation.

2) Call 9-1-1 if emergency or if unsure if is an emergency. Feel free to call 9-1-1 if you wish to report something that’s not an emergency and you cannot locate non-emergency number.

3) Report your experience and deputy feedback to your watch captain.

4) Watch captain then reports incident to me after gathering full information.

5) I will then report back to the neighborhood watch group what I gather from the responding deputies so everyone has the full story.

• Lock doors/ close windows

• Use alarm system

• Avoid leaving valuables in view

• Don’t hide purse under seat

• If necessary, use trunk to conceal valuables

• Park vehicle in a well lit area

Vehicle Safety to Deter Vehicle Safety to Deter TheftsThefts

70% of thefts from vehicles are

at night from unlocked vehicles

Residential ScamsResidential Scams

• Magazine Sales

• ‘Dumpster Divers’

• Labor type work

• Unknown person asks if “a friend” is home

•Put “No Soliciting” Signs Up to Deter

Door-to-door ScamsDoor-to-door Scams

• Mail theft

• Real estate scams

• Lottery winnings

• Unknown packages arriving at your house

•Shred All Account Document Information

• Identity Theft Info/Brochure

• Internet Scams/Craigslist

Other Residential ScamsOther Residential Scams

Problem Problem House in The House in The NeighborhoodNeighborhood

??

*Most drug houses have similar identifying *Most drug houses have similar identifying characteristics. characteristics.

Watch for the following:Watch for the following: Strange OdorsStrange Odors Unusual Traffic FlowUnusual Traffic Flow - Watch for frequent - Watch for frequent

visits by different cars, at any time of day or visits by different cars, at any time of day or night. Be suspicious of vehicles with night. Be suspicious of vehicles with obscured or absent license plates. obscured or absent license plates.

Property AlterationProperty Alteration - This includes covering - This includes covering windows and patio doors with items other windows and patio doors with items other than curtains or drapes, barricading windows than curtains or drapes, barricading windows and doors, and disconnecting fire alarms. and doors, and disconnecting fire alarms.

Bright Interior LightsBright Interior Lights Constant Humming NoisesConstant Humming Noises Tenants Who Own Expensive ItemsTenants Who Own Expensive Items - -

especially if they appear to be unemployed. especially if they appear to be unemployed. Expensive cars, cell phones, home Expensive cars, cell phones, home entertainment systems, etc. entertainment systems, etc.

Extensive Security MeasuresExtensive Security Measures Little Property MaintenanceLittle Property Maintenance Increased Noise and CrimesIncreased Noise and Crimes - Loud voices, - Loud voices,

fights, gunfire, radios, especially at night. fights, gunfire, radios, especially at night. Increase in crimes like auto burglaries, Increase in crimes like auto burglaries, robbery, vandalism, and assault, as well as robbery, vandalism, and assault, as well as active prostitution in or around the active prostitution in or around the neighborhood. neighborhood.

What should I do if I What should I do if I suspect a drug house in suspect a drug house in

my neighborhood?my neighborhood?

Communication is KeyCommunication is Key - - Talk to anyone and everyone: neighbors, the sheriff, your Talk to anyone and everyone: neighbors, the sheriff, your Neighborhood Watch Captain. You will not solve the problem yourself - the only way to shut Neighborhood Watch Captain. You will not solve the problem yourself - the only way to shut down a drug house is through teamwork. down a drug house is through teamwork.

Organize a Neighborhood WatchOrganize a Neighborhood Watch - - The more people who are watching the drug house, the The more people who are watching the drug house, the more "witnesses" the police have to the activity. Other neighbors might see things that you more "witnesses" the police have to the activity. Other neighbors might see things that you don't, or vice versa. don't, or vice versa.

Keep recordsKeep records – (SEE HANDOUT) Set up a calendar and a log to take down license plate – (SEE HANDOUT) Set up a calendar and a log to take down license plate numbers, car color and make of suspicious vehicles, date and time of activity. Report any numbers, car color and make of suspicious vehicles, date and time of activity. Report any relevant information to relevant information to NET (Narcotics Enforcement Team) 454-3008 or Non Emergency NET (Narcotics Enforcement Team) 454-3008 or Non Emergency Dispatch #Dispatch #. Call 911 in case of emergencies. . Call 911 in case of emergencies.

Be patientBe patient - Police have to work within the law, and so do you. It may take time to gather - Police have to work within the law, and so do you. It may take time to gather enough evidence to shut down the drug operation legally, so don't be discouraged. enough evidence to shut down the drug operation legally, so don't be discouraged. Remember that prevention is the best way to stop drug houses. Start a Neighborhood Watch, Remember that prevention is the best way to stop drug houses. Start a Neighborhood Watch, get to know your neighbors, and meet your community police officers. As problems arise in get to know your neighbors, and meet your community police officers. As problems arise in the neighborhood, work with neighbors and police to resolve them as quickly as possible. the neighborhood, work with neighbors and police to resolve them as quickly as possible.

What does a Drug Addict look like?What does a Drug Addict look like?

Physical warning signs of drug abusePhysical warning signs of drug abuse Bloodshot eyes or pupils that are larger or smaller than usual. Bloodshot eyes or pupils that are larger or smaller than usual. Deterioration of physical appearance and personal grooming Deterioration of physical appearance and personal grooming

habits. habits. Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing. Unusual smells on breath, body, or clothing. Tremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordinationTremors, slurred speech, or impaired coordination Unexplained change in personality or attitude. Unexplained change in personality or attitude. Sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts. Sudden mood swings, irritability, or angry outbursts. Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness. Periods of unusual hyperactivity, agitation, or giddiness. Lack of motivation; appears lethargic or “spaced out.” Lack of motivation; appears lethargic or “spaced out.” Appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no reason.Appears fearful, anxious, or paranoid, with no reason.

Speeding Problems?Speeding Problems?

Speed Radar Trailer Speed Radar Trailer Placed in Your Placed in Your Neighborhood Neighborhood ServiceService

California Highway California Highway Patrol handles Patrol handles complaints for complaints for speeding, parking speeding, parking problems, etc.problems, etc.

Gang Task Force Gang Task Force

Gang Awareness Gang Awareness

Graffiti InformationGraffiti Information

Gang Graffiti Gang Graffiti

Vs. Vs.

Tag GraffitiTag Graffiti

Norteno= Red, 14, XIV, Norteno= Red, 14, XIV, X4, NSSCX4, NSSC

Sureno= Blue, X13, X3, Sureno= Blue, X13, X3, 1313

Example of ‘North Side Example of ‘North Side Santa Cruz’ Gang Santa Cruz’ Gang

Related GraffitiRelated Graffiti

Graffiti InformationGraffiti Information

Gang Graffiti Gang Graffiti Vs. Vs.

Tag GraffitiTag Graffiti

Artist Recognition, Artist Recognition, Bubble Writing, with Bubble Writing, with Personal Signature Personal Signature near the Graffiti Tagnear the Graffiti Tag

Ages 15-25Ages 15-25Example of Personalized Example of Personalized

Tag GraffitiTag Graffiti

Graffiti InformationGraffiti Information If Found:If Found: Document Graffiti by Document Graffiti by

PhotographingPhotographing Report To Police/SheriffReport To Police/Sheriff Clean Up ASAP- If On Your Clean Up ASAP- If On Your

Property Do Yourself or Property Do Yourself or On Public/Other Private On Public/Other Private

Property Call Graffiti Property Call Graffiti Removal ProjectRemoval Project

Graffiti Removal ProjectGraffiti Removal Project See Brochure for Contact InfoSee Brochure for Contact Info

Abandoned VehiclesAbandoned Vehicles

Call Abandoned Vehicle Abatement Hotline: 454-3139

Or Report Online www.scsheriff.com

• Vehicle is considered to be abandoned if it is left on a street in such inoperable or neglected condition that the owner’s intention to relinquish all further rights or interests in it may be reasonably concluded and;• Parked for a period of 72hours w/out being moved more than 1000ft and appears to be a deserted vehicle.

Personal Inventory Record Personal Inventory Record •Record your personal items in the event items are stolen

•(Use a camera, camcorder, etc).

• Include in the Inventory list the item, make, model, color, serial # location, cost/value and any distinguishing marks, OAN (owner applied number) engravings, or other characteristics.

See Handout Form

Register Cell PhoneRegister Cell Phone

Register your Cell Phone with our Local Dispatch “Santa Cruz Regional 911” online at www.sccecc.org/

Dispatchers can send important messages to residents and businesses within Santa Cruz County. The system has the capability of sending thousands of messages in a very short time based on geographic location of the incident.

Neighborhood Watch Neighborhood Watch SuppliesSupplies

Visit www.nnwi.org to order Neighborhood Watch and other related Crime Prevention Signs *Sheriffs Office Does Not Supply Items Good Idea to Network with Neighbors to

Pool Money Together for funding

Santa Cruz County Sheriff Santa Cruz County Sheriff WebsiteWebsite

www.scsheriff.com• File a Report Online/Print Forms & Documents

• Access various other sites such as Meghan’s Law

• Press Releases

• Crime Mapping/Statistics Unincorporated Areas Only

• Crime Prevention & Safety

• Unsolved Homicides/Wanted Persons

• Your Community Information & Center Locations

Merrill St Crime MapMerrill St Crime Map

Internet reporting on Sheriff’s website:

Contact InfoContact Info

Live Oak/Soquel Sheriff’s Live Oak/Soquel Sheriff’s CenterCenter

Sgt. Stefan Fish:Sgt. Stefan Fish:

(direct office number)462-8304(direct office number)462-8304

shf107@co.santa-cruz.ca.usshf107@co.santa-cruz.ca.us Community Service Officer Lindsey Community Service Officer Lindsey

Warwick:Warwick:

(direct office number)464-6232(direct office number)464-6232

shf478@co.santa-cruz.ca.usshf478@co.santa-cruz.ca.us

• Scotts Valley Police 438-2326

• Santa Cruz Police 471-1131

• Capitola Police 471-1141

• Watsonville Police 471-1151

• California Highway Patrol 662-0511(M-F 8 to 5)796-2160(after hours)

Other Agency ContactsOther Agency Contacts

Questions?Questions?