Neighborhood Watch: How to Start a Group
In Your Neighborhood
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Before starting with a new group, visit your neighbors and explain you are starting a new Neighborhood Watch. Get an idea of the best time, or day of the week most of your neighbors will be able to attend. Find out the concerns of your neighbors regarding suspicious activity or criminal acts within your neighborhood, and have everyone write down anything they would like to discuss at the meeting.
Contact the Redding Police Crime Prevention Unit at (530) 225-4209 two to four weeks in advance of the time you would like to schedule a meeting. A Crime Prevention Specialist will be happy to schedule and attend a meeting with you and your neighbors. The meetings last about 90 minutes. We will present a crime prevention video about Home Safety, talk to the group about what kinds of crime may be occurring in the area, and explain how to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim. The Beat Officer will stop by (if time permits) and answer any questions the group may have.
During the meeting a list will be made detailing the names and addresses of group members. (This list remains confidential and is kept at the Police Department.) One member (usually the host/hostess) will be designated as "Block Captain." This person becomes the contact person for Crime Prevention Officers, and will be notified of any information the Police Department wants to distribute to the Neighborhood. For example, the Block Captain may receive a call if a suspected burglar is known to be in the area. The pre-recorded call will detail suspect and vehicle description if available, and provide a number to all with any information.
Be sure to contact the Police Department. This will give neighbors time to plan for the meeting.
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Important Phone Numbers for Block Captains
| To report an EMERGENCY or a crime in progress: SHASCOM |
911 |
| To report a crime or suspicious circumstance: Redding Dispatch Center |
225-4564 |
| To report suspected drug activity: SINTF (Shasta Interagency Narcotics Task Force) |
224-4892 |
| Miscellaneous Numbers: | |
| Landlord Management Network | 244-9528 |
| Redding Police Front Counter | 225-4280 |
| Graffiti Eradication Program | 245-6211 |
| City Clerk's Office (Business Licenses) | 225-4055 |
| City Council Members | 225-4447 |
| City Planning Department (Permits) | 225-4020 |
| City Recreation and Parks | 225-4095 |
| City Streets/Signs/Storm Drains | 224-6068 |
| Haven Humane Society | 241-1653 |
| Gang Hotline | 247-GANG / (247-4264) |
| Methamphetamine Task Force | 245-6384 |
| RPD Abandoned Vehicle Abatement | 225-4564 |
| Redding Fire Department (Burn Permits) | 225-4150 |
| City Electric Department | 224-4300 |
| State Community Care Licensing (Group Homes) (Chico) | 895-5033 |