Neighborhood Watch Program

Long Beach Police Department
Community Relations Division
Crime Prevention Unit
(562) 570-7229

Why Neighborhood Watch?
"Over 40 million crimes are committed every year and the number continues to increase. " There can't be a law enforcement officer on every corner, so citizen involvement is crucial to combat this social crisis. " By cooperating with each other and the Police, people can help fight crime in their communities in the most effective way - before it begins. " It's an opportunity to get acquainted with the people that share your neighborhood.

The Neighborhood Watch Program
The Neighborhood Watch Program consists of four core meetings. The core meetings are:

• Introduction/Meet Your Police
• Home Security
• Personal Safety
• Emergency Communications

These meetings have been designed to give your group the maximum benefit from the Neighborhood Watch Program and should be scheduled in the order in which they appear. You are encouraged to schedule additional meetings through the Neighborhood Watch Program after you have completed the four core Neighborhood Watch meetings.

All core meetings should be scheduled through the Long Beach Police Department's Community Relations Division at (562) 570-7229. Please allow two weeks advance notice to ensure the availability of a speaker. All meetings will last approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes and are generally scheduled Monday through Thursday, on a monthly or bi-monthly basis. As staffing permits, Saturday meetings and meetings in Spanish and Khmer can also be accommodated. Should your group have a special request, please notify us in advance and we will make every effort to accommodate you.

Core Meetings

• Introduction to Neighborhood Watch/Meet Your Police

This meeting will inform residents on how their participation in the Neighborhood Watch Program can prevent crime in their neighborhood. Residents will be assisted in organizing future meetings that will focus on various methods of crime prevention. In addition, you will meet an officer who patrols in your area. At this meeting, you will be able to talk directly to the officer focusing on concerns in your neighborhood.

• Home Security

Groups will be given a presentation with discussion focusing on easily implemented methods of burglary prevention and home security. A video on home security will also be shown.

• Personal Safety

Learning how to avoid becoming a victim is the primary focus of this meeting. It is designed to make the individual aware of his or her personal safety in the home, on the street, and in daily travels throughout the community. A video on personal safety will also be shown.

• Emergency Communications

A representative from the Community Relations Division will discuss the operation of our 911 and non-emergency phone lines. You will be instructed on how to report suspicious activity and how to describe possible suspects. In addition, information will be provided on what constitutes an emergency situation.

Reorganization Meeting
This is a modification of the Introduction to Neighborhood Watch meeting for groups that were previously organized, but have not been actively participating in the program.

Monthly Maintenance Meetings
Neighborhood Watch groups are requested to host a minimum of two meetings per year. However, they are encouraged to continue their participation beyond the four core meetings by hosting monthly meetings. Please contact the Neighborhood Watch Office at (562) 570-7229, to schedule your meetings and to obtain additional speakers from the Long Beach Police Department or other city resources.

Additional Meeting Topics

• Gangs
• Narcotics
• Crime Lab
• Identity Theft
• Other Topics as Requested