Police - Prevention and Education
Community Action Teams (CAT) The Glendale Police Department is dedicated to working with citizens toward identifying and resolving community problems. Formed in 1994, each of the now five Community Action Teams - CAT consists of a civilian Crime Prevention Specialist and a Police Officer. The goal of the Community Action Teams is to utilize the Community Oriented Policing philosophy by providing the necessary tools to eliminate or reduce crime through educational programs and enforcement. In 1995, the Community Action Teams were recognized by the International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners as the "Unit of the Year". The award was given for having the best crime prevention and outstanding community oriented policing program. That same year the Glendale Police Department also named the Community Action Teams as the "Unit of the Year". Whether you're a homeowner, business owner, apartment manager or resident, the Community Action Teams strive to provide programs and services that positively impact our citizen's quality of life, as well as reinforce the strengths and needs of neighborhoods. The Community Action Teams serve as pro-active problem solvers. They utilize team building, community resources and numerous programs to solve neighborhood and business issues. Current programs include; Neighborhood Watch, The Eyes of Glendale Neighborhood Watch Newsletter, G.A.I.N. - Getting Arizona Involved In Neighborhoods, Home and Business Security Surveys, Crime Free Multi-Housing Program, MAC - Managers Against Crime, and miscellaneous Crime Prevention Presentations. The coordination of some programs rotates yearly between the civilian Crime Prevention Specialists. Through our programs, we practice and carry out the employee mission statement: "A partnership of employees and community working together to create a better quality of life for Glendale." If you have an ongoing problem in your neighborhood or business, contact your Community Action Team (CAT). Click here for a map to find your CAT Team and contact information. (pdf)
2010 Current Trends in Stash Houses
Click here for a list of current trends (pdf) in stash houses and how you can assist the Glendale Police Department in identifying a problem. Early identification of a potential problem is the key to resolving
it quickly and with as little impact to the home owner and neighborhood as
possible.
Prevention Presentations Community Action Teams offer crime prevention information and presentations to the citizens of Glendale. These free presentations cover numerous topics including personal safety, child safety, burglary and auto theft prevention, when to call 911, back to school safety, identity crime prevention, senior and holiday safety. The presentations work well for Neighborhood Watch groups, civic groups, neighborhood associations, PTA/PTO's, schools and "brown bag lunch seminars". Presentations are conducted on an as requested basis according to the needs of the community. View the city map to determine your Community Action Team representative. For more information call 623-930-3380. View Map for CAT Member Phone Numbers
Education - Prevention Tips For Your Home:
- Keep your doors and windows locked.
- Keep your yard neat and your landscaping trimmed.
- Leave your front light on at night or install motion sensor lights.
- Your front door should be solid core (not hollow) or consider purchasing a steel security screen door.
- Keep your garage door closed.
- Thieves can steal your mail and commit identity theft crimes. Don't use the mailbox in front of your house to mail bills with checks in them.
- When you move, re-key the locks of your new home.
- Don't hide keys in obvious places such as under a mat or on top of a door frame.
- Use your peep hole before opening the door.
- Disable and lock your RV/Motorhome so it can't be easily moved.
- Lock and secure bicycles when parked - even if in the garage.
- Any firearms should be stored in a locked cabinet out of sight. Remove a working part from the firearm and store the ammunition separately.
- Lock up your lawn equipment such as lawnmowers, blowers, and trimmers in a secured area.
For your car:
- Keep the doors locked even when you are driving.
- Consider using a deterrent device such as the 'club', steering wheel column, alarm, or starter interrupt switch.
- Don't leave the garage door opener on the visor or anywhere that it can be seen. Thieves will take your garage door opener so that they can commit an easy burglary as well.
- Don't leave valuables in your car.
- Park your car in the garage.
When you're planning a vacation:
- Have a friend or neighbor pick up the mail and newspaper.
- Make sure someone is checking the house.
- Make arrangements to have the lawn cut and the garbage put out.
- Have timers set up to turn on lights, TV and radios at random times throughout the day to make the home look and seem lived in.
- Use a photo sensitive motion sensor light for an outside light to make the home appear occupied.
- Stop all deliveries.
- Put valuables such as jewelry, large sums of cash and documents in a safe deposit box.
To schedule a free Home Security Survey, view the city map to determine your Community Action Team representative. For more information, call 623-930-3380.
Methamphetamine Information The Glendale Police Department in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), U.S. Attorney's Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), would like to share important information in a nationwide effort to reduce methamphetamine use. The objective is to reach out to as broad an audience as possible. The DOJ announced a nationwide methamphetamine initiative declaring November 30, 2006 as National Methamphetamine Awareness Day. By joining together, we can make a difference in Arizona. Below are links we would like to share with you. DOJ has created a first of its kind, comprehensive and educational website, www.usdoj.gov/methawareness which provides presentations on methamphetamine. The presentation is designed to present objective facts about meth as well as stories about its effects on real people which does not rely on scare tactics. It seeks to educate the general public about meth and how it is made, the effects of meth on users, and the dangers posed by meth to the community, in particular to drug endangered children and the environment. The DEA also has two websites with additional facts www.dea.gov and www.justthinktwice.com. The www.justthinktwice.com website was designed by teens, for teens.
Crime-Free Multi-Housing Program The Glendale Crime Free Multi-Housing Program is a free program designed to help owners and managers of rental properties keep drugs and other illegal activity off their property. The purpose of this program is to educate the landlords and their residents on how to improve the livability of their neighborhoods by reducing crime and taking steps toward providing a clean and safe living environment for the citizens of Glendale. The Glendale Crime Free Multi-Housing Program has been carefully developed and reviewed by police, community leaders, and legal advisors. This program effectively deals with illegal activity on rental property, while providing the residents with the best protection against crime and violent criminals. This program is honest and direct, it is solution oriented, and is designed to be easy and very effective in reducing crime on rental properties. It has three key elements that will ensure the crime prevention goal:
- Phase One - Staff Training – one, eight-hour workshop
- Phase Two - Premises Security Assessments
- Phase Three - Resident Training/Safety Social
Crime Prevention Specialists coordinate the program with their officer partners. They host quarterly Phase One Staff Training workshops each year.
- Schedule for Phase One staff training workshops (pdf)
- 8-HOUR WORKSHOP (PHASE ONE TRAINING)
Wednesday, Jan 20th
Wednesday, July 21st
Wednesday, October 20th
- 4-HOUR RECERTIFICATION WORKSHOP
Wednesday, April 21st
Wednesday, September 22nd
To address the crime problem in rental communities requires a unique coalition of owners, property management, managers and staff, residents, and the police. The most effective way to deal with any illegal activity on rental property is through a coordinated crime prevention effort. The success of this program is on the rise. In 2002, there were 100 attendees for the phase one workshops. 2003 saw a 75% increase in attendance with a total of 175 attendees.
For more information, please contact Andrew Stuart at 623.930.2544 or astuart@glendaleaz.com.
Managers Against Crime – MAC:
Apartment community managers and staff are invited to attend monthly Managers Against Crime - MAC meetings. The MAC Program is an offshoot of the Crime Free Multi-Housing Program. It provides ongoing training for managers and staff. Meetings are hosted in various communities throughout the city of Glendale on a rotational basis. Community managers suggest topics that may include: auto theft prevention, landlord tenant law, trespassing, hazardous materials cleanup/disposal, gangs, code compliance and domestic violence. Participation increased in 2003, due in large part to a random phone survey conducted in order to assess the effectiveness of this program. We asked apartment managers to evaluate the program and provide suggestions for improvement. The goal of this program is to provide valuable crime prevention information and tools that managers and staff can bring back to their residents in order to improve the quality of life on their properties.
MAC meetings facilitate communication between neighboring and citywide communities. MAC successfully creates a forum for the Glendale Police Department and apartment communities to work together in partnership and address neighborhood issues.
Click here for the 2010
MAC calendar (pdf)
For more information, please contact Carol Bolick at
623-930-2571 or cbolick@glendaleaz.com
Glendale Police Educating Public on Internet Crimes Against Children
The Glendale Police Department offers the following links as a form of education on the growing threats our children face on the Internet.
 New Prevention Guidebook - PDF booklet from the FTC regarding protecting minors from Internet crime.
NCMEC Cybertipline Reminder - National Center for Missing & Exploited Children operates the tip line for complaints of unlawful images, luring/enticement and other Internet crimes against children.
Home and Business Security Surveys The goal of a Home or Business Security Survey is to evaluate and provide suggestions for a home or business owner to decrease their chances of becoming a victim of crime. In 2003, the City-S.A.F.E. program designated May as Household Safety Month. Over 50 Home Security Surveys were conducted that month and numerous other home and business surveys were completed throughout the year. During a Home or Business Security Survey, a Community Action Team representative inspects a premises including lights, locks, and landscaping. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design, C.P.T.E.D., recommendations are then provided for improving the safety and security of the premises. The time needed to complete a survey depends on the size of the individual home or business. C.P.T.E.D. is the proper design and effective use of the built environment in order to lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime, and an improvement in the quality of life. C.P.T.E.D. can be achieved through five basic principles and concepts applied to specific sites and situations. These principles include Natural Surveillance, Access Control, Territoriality, Activity Support, and Maintenance. The Community Action Teams present information for understanding the applications of each principle to home and/or business owners enabling them to improve their surroundings and quality of life. Schedule Today! To schedule a free Home or Business Security Survey, view the city map to determine your Community Action Team representative. For more information call 623-930-3380.
Neighborhood Watch The Basics A simple program, Neighborhood Watch is dedicated to improving the quality of life in Glendale’s neighborhoods. The foundation of the program is built upon citizens and police working in partnership. Basically, a Neighborhood Watch is a cohesive body of concerned citizens coming together to address common issues that affect their neighborhood. The goal of the Community Action Teams is to facilitate communication between residents by conducting initial neighborhood meetings. During the meeting residents learn about neighborhood crime statistics, personal and home safety information and are provided with crime prevention materials. It empowers the citizens of Glendale and helps to reduce their chances of being victimized by crime through education and teamwork. Quarterly, the “Eyes of Glendale” newsletter is published by the Community Action Team Coordinator. Neighborhood Watch Captains and Co-Captains receive this newsletter providing valuable information on crime prevention and safety concerns as well as upcoming events. This information is not copy written therefore it may be shared with your neighbors. Why Neighborhood Watch?
Whether you live in a high crime area or not, a comprehensive Neighborhood Watch program offers numerous benefits for your area. Such programs instill a greater sense of security, well-being, and reduce the fear of crime in your neighborhood. Neighborhood Watch helps instill a greater “sense of community,” by putting the neighbor back into neighborhood. Here are some of the other benefits you can expect by participating in Glendale’s Neighborhood Watch program:
- Reducing the risk of being a crime victim
- Being better prepared to respond to suspicious activity
- Increased information on issues that impact your neighborhood
- Obtaining Neighborhood Watch signs
- Getting to know your neighbors
- Reducing the fear of crime and making your neighborhood more livable
How much work is involved?
This is a fair question and the answer depends on you. Some areas have major concerns, requiring some work; others just want to maintain their area and don’t want to spend a great deal of time on it. In order to be recognized as an “active” Neighborhood Watch group you must have at least two (2) meetings within a calendar year. These could include a clean-up day, ice cream social, BBQ, educational program, etc. Also annually Neighborhood Watch audit paperwork must be updated. The role of the Neighborhood Watch Captain
The Neighborhood Watch captain serves as the coordinator and liaison of the group. It is up to the Neighborhood Watch captain to serve as a spokesperson, schedule group activities, supply your CAT representative with required information, and coordinate neighborhood activities and communication. Likewise, the captain should:
- Maintain a list of all members
- Develop, maintain and distribute neighborhood maps for your area including names, addresses, and telephone numbers
- Set up a communication network for your area such as a telephone tree
- Distribute information sent out by your CAT representative
- Greet new neighbors, encourage them to join, and update the neighborhood watch list
- Provide sign in sheets of the Neighborhood Watch activities to your CAT representative
The role of the members
Everyone in the Neighborhood Watch plays an important part in the success of the program! Members should learn the names of their neighbors and the kinds of cars they drive. They should keep a copy of the Neighborhood Watch map and telephone tree readily accessible. In fact, the role of individual members includes attending meetings, watching out for suspicious activity, displaying Neighborhood Watch signs, and assisting the police by learning how to become a good witness. Furthermore, individual members should also schedule a Home Security Survey for recommendations on making their homes safer and more crime resistant. But above all, being a member means getting involved. If you don’t do it, who will? Neighborhood Watch is quite simply the most effective way to reduce or prevent crime while improving the quality of life in your neighborhood. Neighborhood Programs
The Glendale Police Department offers a wide variety of presentations about crime prevention. Consider using these presentations for your Neighborhood Watch meetings. With the exception of the Home Security Survey, the following programs are designed for group presentation:
- Burglary Prevention
- Personal Safety
- Child Abuse
- Child Safety
- Cons and Frauds
- Abuse of the Elderly
- Home Security Survey
Community and Police Working Together
Every neighborhood has its own personality that makes it unique. What works in one area, may not work in another. When starting a Neighborhood Watch be creative and include others on your team. Remember, there is strength in numbers. Criminal justice professionals readily admit that in the absence of citizen assistance, neither more manpower, nor improved technology, nor additional money will enable law enforcement to shoulder the monumental burden of combating crime in America. Teamwork between neighbors—and the police—is what Neighborhood Watch is all about. View the city map to determine your Community Action Team representative. For more information call 623-930-3380. |
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