WHY CRIME WATCH?

• Because it works!  Throughout America, police in communities with active Watch programs report dramatic decreases in burglary and related crimes.
  
  
• Because today’s busy lifestyles produce communities that are less personal.  Many families are engaged in work and activities that keep them away fro home.  An empty house with neighbors who don’t know its owners is a prime target for burglary.
  
  
• Because even though our police are doing an excellent job, they need the help of an involved citizenry. Our police need people who can be their “eyes and ears”. Watching out for and reporting suspicious activity in their neighborhoods.
  
  
• Because Crime Watch fights the isolation that crime feeds upon.  It forges bonds among residents and builds strong relationships between the police and the neighborhoods they serve.
  
  
• Because Crime Watch fights the isolation that crime feeds upon.  It forges bonds among residents and builds strong relationships between the police and the neighborhoods they serve.

• As a grassroots, non-profit corporation, Crime Watch is built on the concept of neighbor helping neighbor in the fight against crime.
  
  
• We assist in the creation of Crime Watch networks in communities throughout the city of Boca Raton.
  
  
• We provide on-site training seminars for newly formed networks and refresher seminars for established ones.
  
  
• We teach our members how to avoid becoming crime victims, how to recognize suspicious activity and how to watch for it.
  
  
• We provide a communications network for our members by sending Crime Incident Reports of events in each neighborhood.  We also email and fax periodic Crime Alert Bulletins as needed.
  
  
• We publish a quarterly newsletter to keep members updated on current topics, crime trends and special events.
  
  
• We arrange on-site security surveys of homes and condos, which include recommendations for improved security.

Experience has indicated that the most efficient and practical way of fighting crime in residential areas is by way of a “Neighborhood Crime Watch” organization. We will help you in creating a Crime Watch group in your neighborhood. Once the Crime Watch group has been established, an information network will inform members by e-mail or fax about crime incidents in the neighborhood. A Crime Prevention Officer will act as Liaison to help set up a meeting and explain how the program will work.

The Annual Donation is $ 5.00 per Household.

Contact the City of Boca Raton Crime Prevention Officer at (561) 347-3938.

You can join Crime Watch as an individual household and receive reports of crime in your area by e-mail or fax.

The Annual Donation is $ 5.00 per household or business.

Contact the "Crime Watch Office" at the Police Department -
Phone 338-1230 (9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday) or email us at crimewatch@ci.boca-raton.fl.us (click on Contact us below).
Provide: Name, Address, telephone number, E-mail or fax and community name.  

Print and fill out the form below and mail it in with your check:

• Joining Crime Watch (PDF)
• Crime Watch Events (PDF)
• Contact us
  

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WHAT CAN I DO RIGHT NOW?

There are many preventive actions you can take to avoid becoming a crime victim.  Here are a few basic tips you should put into practice:

• Know you neighbors and their routines so you can spot unusual or suspicious occurrences.
• Keep all exterior doors and windows locked – even when you’re at home.
• Close and lock your garage door when not actually in use.
• Lock your car doors and be sure no valuables are in view, especially the garage-door opener.
• Leave the lights on when you go out for the evening.
• Cancel newspaper and mail delivery when you’re away on vacation.  Ask a neighbor to collect them during short absences.
• Do not ever let strangers into your home without verifying their identification.
• Never try to apprehend or chase a suspected criminal.  Leave that to the Police.

• A scream or shout for help.
• A stranger sitting in a car or stopping to talk to a child.
• Someone looking into windows of houses or parked cars.
• Property being removed from houses where no one is home or from closed businesses.
• Cars, vans or trucks moving slowly with no apparent destination, or without lights.

• For a CRIME IN PROGRESS – CALL 9-1-1.
• For suspicious activity – CALL 368-6201.
• Give your name and address and explain what happened.
• Briefly describe the suspect noting sex, race, age, clothing and any vehicle involved by color, make, model, and any special features.