Neighborhood Crime Watch by: Lieutenant Peter M. Casamento   Program Coordinator

The Neighborhood Watch Program is a new program that the Maywood Police Department is establishing throughout the Borough. It is designed to have residents keep an eye on each others property and reporting anything suspicious. The program is primarily designed for residential areas. Residents by their participation make it more difficult for the criminal element to operate making our neighborhoods a safer place to live.

It is a program of neighbors watching out for each other. It uses simple techniques to DETER, DELAY, and DETECT crime. It is designed to enlist the active participation of citizens, in cooperation with the police, to reduce crime and improve the quality of life in their neighborhoods.

It is becoming acquainted with your neighbors.

It is working together to identify and solve

problems in your area of the community.

It is helping the police by being aware of and

reporting any unusual activities as they occur.

You know best what is "normal" activity in your

neighborhood.

It is the implementation of crime prevention techniques to enhance home security.

It is NOT a vigilante group focused on apprehending someone This is the police

departments job!

It is putting your neighbors’ back in

neighborhoods.

Neighborhood Crime Facts

Burglary, auto theft, vandalism and prowlers are the most prevalent neighborhood crimes.

Household burglary is one of the easiest crimes to commit and prevent but one of the hardest to solve.

Nationwide over one-half of police time is spent on investigating burglaries.

Household burglary is one of the most rapidly increasing major crimes in the nation.

Most home burglars are young amateurs looking for easy targets.

Statistics show that in over one-half of household burglaries there was not any forced entry involved.

A majority of household burglaries occur during daylight hours.

Household burglary has a high potential for death or injury in cases where a burglar is surprised by the property owner.

98% of the time, a burglar will not enter your home if he/she thinks someone is home.

 

What kind of activity should concern me?

If you see or suspect a crime is taking place call 9-1-1 immediately.

If it turns out that you are wrong, think of how bad you would feel if you were right and did not call. Suspicious activities are those such as:

People loitering in front of a house when no one is home

Someone entering a backyard for no apparent reason

Property being removed from a neighbor’s house when you know they are not home

Broken windows when you know your neighbors are out of town

An occupied vehicle parked not known to you or your neighbors

A car driving unusually slow through a school or park area

Anyone engaged in what appears to be a crime

Goals of the Program

To deter thieves and reduce the local opportunities for crime.

Establish a community spirit so that everyone can contribute towards the protection of his or her property.

To notify the police and neighbors about suspicious incidents in your neighborhood.

Enhance the quality of life for the residents.

For more information on starting a Neighborhood Crime Watch Program in your neighborhood, e-mail Lieutenant Peter M. Casamento or Detective Anthony Korn.

Lt. Peter Casamento Det. Anthony Korn

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