Modeled after Neighborhood Watch, Business Watch takes the “neighbors looking out for neighbors” concept to the commercial level, creating a partnership between business, law enforcement, and other organizations that represent business interests. The Business Watch philosophy is straightforward – take control of what happens in your business community and lessen your chances of becoming a victim.

 

Business Watches actively reduces and prevents crime through cooperation and education. Programs vary according to need: however, successful groups adhere to these fundamental steps:

• Promote communication and understanding between law enforcement and business.
• Encourage and enhance cooperation among merchants.
• Teach merchants to crime-proof their properties, watch over neighboring businesses and document and report suspicious activity.
• Develop a telephone tree and /or email distribution list to quickly disseminate information about area crime.
• Develop signals to activate in adjacent businesses when someone needs help.

Program Benefits

Business Watch offers many other benefits, including opportunities to:

• Network with other area businesses.
• Foster a good working rapport with area law enforcement.
• Offer employee training and education.
• Garner publicity and community goodwill for your establishment.

Get Started

Contact Community Engagement Manager Shobna Sharma at 510-578-4929, or email at shobna.sharma@newark.org  to take the next steps!

Business Watch is sponsored by the National Sheriff’s Association

A strong Neighborhood Watch is a proven deterrent to criminal activity. Some of the benefits are :

 

• A greater sense of security, well-being and reduction of the fear of crime because you and your neighbors will look out for each other.

• Reduced risk of being a victim of a crime. Statistics show that having a Neighborhood Watch program reduces the risk of your home being burglarized as well as decreases other types of crimes.
• Better access to criminal activity information which will better prepare you in spotting criminal activity.
• Displaying Neighborhood Watch signs and decals in your windows tells criminals that your house and neighborhood are not easy targets and that they are most likely being watched.
• Convicted criminals have reported that they avoid neighborhoods that have Neighborhood Watch signs posted.
• We have made the process to start a Neighborhood Watch very easy and we have all the tools you need ready to go! And we will be here to help you form a successful Neighborhood Watch!
• We have many community orientated projects under way, Map You Neighborhood for Disaster Preparedness, Dog Walker Watch, volunteer to put more eyes and ears on the street and NIXLE, a free service that sends important up-to-date police and traffic information to your cell phone, email account, or Facebook, etc.

How Do I Start a Neighborhood Watch?

• Begin with the neighbors you know or have occasional contact with.
• Tell them you would like to begin a Neighborhood Watch group and ask which evenings work best for them to attend an initial meeting.
• Ask if they would be willing to host the meeting in their home, if your home is unavailable.
• Call Community Engagement Manager Shobna Sharma at 510-578-4929 to schedule an available date and time for your first meeting.
• Each neighborhood must have a Block Captain. Block Captains serve as the liaison between the Police Department and the Watch group.
• Block Captain meetings are held periodically at the Police Department and cover topics such as crime prevention tips, crime trends, training, and information exchanges.

How Do I keep My Neighbors Involved?

Keep the problems away by keeping up with meetings and developing a "Watch only" notification system for more frequent communication/information within the group and surrounding Neighborhood Watch groups. The continued interest and involvement of your neighbors is crucial to its success. Periodic meetings are important, but try to avoid "dooms day" types of meetings, you will surely lose the interest of the participants. Introducing a variety of activities provides a welcome change of pace. Here are a few suggestions:

• Street Parties or BBQ's
• Pool Parties
• Holiday Parties
• Ice Cream Socials
• Progressive Parties of all types
• Participation in National Night Out - held annually the first Tuesday in August

 Dog Walker Watch Program

A strong community committed to observation and communication with law enforcement is a proven deterrent to crime. Some benefits are:

• A greater sense of security, well-being and reduction of the fear of crime because you and your neighbors will look out for each other.
• Reduced risk of being a victim of a crime. Statistics show that having a watchful community reduces the risk of your home being burglarized as well as decreases other types of crimes. Better access to criminal activity information which will better prepare you in spotting criminal activity.
• Having your pet wear Dog Walker bandanas tells criminals that your neighborhood is not an easy target and that they are most likely being watched.
• Convicted criminals have reported that they avoid neighborhoods that have Neighborhood Watch signs posted.
• We have made the process to become involved in Dog Walker Watch very easy and we have all the tools you need ready to go! We will be here to help you get started whether you are a dog walker, jogger, or a walker without a dog!

We have many community orientated projects under way, Map You Neighborhood for Disaster Preparedness, Neighborhood and Business Watch, volunteer with the police department to put more eyes and ears on the street, and NIXLE, a free service that sends important up-to-date police and traffic information to your cell phone, email account, or Facebook, etc.

For more information contact Animal Control Officer Dan Fejarang at 510-578-4361 or by email at dan.fejarant@newark.org.