Emerald Highlands Neighborhood Awareness Program

Background

This program was developed in conjunction with Sequim Police and other relevant third parties with the goal of increasing awareness of potential crime opportunities and provide training on what we can do to help prevent that crime from seeping into Emerald Highlands.
What the program is:

• It is an effort to create safety awareness in Emerald Highlands through education and community participation.
• It provides information on how and what to do to discourage criminals in our neighborhood.
• It provides helpful lists on “what to do if” the unfortunate happens to you or your home.
• It gives support to the Police investigations by providing access to relevant camera images.
• It provides third party information that can be helpful in furthering our desire to keep Emerald Highlands a safe place to live.

What the program is NOT:

• It is not a Security Company. The Sequim Police Department is your first line of defense.
• It is not an intermediary between you and the police.
• It does not assume responsibility for your safety. It is an information and awareness program.

For further information regarding the Neighborhood Awareness Program, contact Jeff Sickler at 818-439-1225.

If you are witnessing suspicious activity in progress, dial 9-1-1.  If you are reporting suspicious activity after the fact, contact the Sequim Police Department at (360) 683-7227 .

If pertinent, document the time of the suspicious activity and notify a Safety Committee Member as soon as reasonably possible to allow for security camera follow-up.

 Safety Committee Members:                          

            George Noa                            Jeff Sickler                            Karen Barrows

            360-808-9911                         818-439-1225                         360-681-5312

BE ALERT. Anything that seems slightly "out of place" or is occurring at an unusual time of day could be criminal activity. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPREHEND A PERSON COMMITTING A CRIME OR TO INVESTIGATE A SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY.  Do not worry about being embarrassed if your suspicions prove to be unfounded. Law enforcement officers would rather investigate than be called when it is too late. Time and accuracy are critical in reporting crime or suspicious events.  Your call could save a life, prevent an injury, or stop a crime. The information you provide will be kept confidential. You do not need to give your name, although this is often helpful.

The following incidents MAY indicate possible criminal activity and should be reported:

• Continuous repair operations at a nonbusiness location (stolen property being altered);
• Unoccupied residence (burglary or vandalism potential);
• Unusual noises, such as gunshots, screaming, or dogs barking continuously.
• Sound of breaking glass (burglary or vandalism);
• Person exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms (person may be injured, under the influence of drugs, or otherwise needing medical attention).

Suspicious Persons

Obviously, not every stranger who comes into a neighborhood is a criminal. Legitimate door-to-door sales and repair people appear in residential areas frequently. Occasionally, however, criminals disguise themselves as these workers; therefore, it is important to be alert to the activities of all nonresidents. Law enforcement officials should be called to investigate persons under the following suspicious circumstances:

• Going door to door in a residential area, especially if one or more goes to rear of residence or loiters in front of an unoccupied house or closed business (burglary);
• Forcing entrance or entering an unoccupied house (burglary, theft, or trespassing);
• Running, especially if carrying something of value or carrying unwrapped property at an unusual hour (fleeing the scene of a crime);
• Heavy traffic to and from a residence, particularly if it occurs on a daily basis (drug dealing, vice or fence operation);
• Loitering around or peering into cars, especially in parking lots or on streets (car theft);
• Loitering or driving through a neighborhood several times or appearing as delivery person with a wrong address (burglary).
• If possible, out-going mail should be deposited at the Post Office, not left in your mailbox for postal pick up.  Individuals are known to drive by a mailbox and remove its mail.

Suspicious Vehicles

Vehicles in the following situations MAY be involved in crimes;

• Slow moving, without lights, following aimless course in any location, including residential streets, schools, and playgrounds (burglar, drug pusher, or sex offender);
• Parked or occupied, containing one or more persons, especially at an unusual hour (lookouts for a burglary or robbery);
• Parked by a business or unoccupied residence, being loaded with valuables (burglary or theft);
• Abandoned in your neighborhood (stolen car);

Describing and Reporting of Events, Vehicles and Persons

Practice developing skills providing quick, accurate descriptions is an excellent NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH meeting activity. In attempting to describe events, vehicles, or persons, write down the details of what you have observed while they are still fresh in your mind, so your descriptions to law enforcement officials will be as accurate as possible.

Describing Events

• What happened;
• When it happened;
• Where it occurred (note the nearest cross street, home address, or landmark in relationship to the event);
• Whether injuries are involved.  Be as specific as possible - this could save a life;
• Whether weapons are involved (this information, whether observed or suspected, is vital to responding officers).

Describing Vehicles

• Vehicle license number and state, make and type of vehicle, color, and approximate age;
• Special designs or unusual features, such as vinyl top, mag wheels, body damage, pinstripes, etc.;
• Direction of travel.

Describing Persons

• Sex;
• Race;
• Age;
• Height (estimated from eye contact level measured against your height);
• Weight;
• Hair (color and length);
• Hat;
• Facial Hair (beard/mustache);
• Shirt/tie;
• Coat/jacket;
• Any peculiar or distinguishable mannerisms, physical disabilities, disfigurations, scars or tattoos;
• Trousers;
• Shoes;
• Voice characteristics;
• Direction of movement.

Home Security Measures

You must be aware of the potential risk of crime in your home in order to prevent it. First…Remember that the key factor in most crimes is OPPORTUNITY. IF THEY CAN'T GET AT IT, THEY CAN'T TAKE IT! Then…follow a regular plan of home security to deter the potential burglar or other intruder.

• Use a timer or photo electric cell that automatically turns a living room light on at dusk, particularly if you are going to be away at that time;
• Leave a radio on with the volume turned low when leaving home, even for short periods;
• Always close and lock garage doors;
• Secure automatic garage door transmitter in glove compartment of your car;
• Secure all obvious (and not so obvious) points of entry to your home. Pretend you are the burglar…stand outside your home and plan how you would get in; then install secure locks on all doors and windows;
• Lock up all ladders, ropes, or tools that could help a burglar gain entry;
• Keep all shrubbery trimmed near your doors and windows-don't provide concealment or climbing platforms for the burglar;
• Keep your grass cut, your leaves raked, etc., to indicate a well-cared for and occupied home;
• Empty your mailbox or arrange to have it emptied as soon as mail is delivered;
• Install new locks when moving into an apartment or previously owned home;
• Keep extra keys out of sight and in a safe place; never hide a key outside;
• Avoid displaying valuable items near windows with open drapes or shades;
• Never leave a note on the door explaining why you are not at home;
• Never leave doors or windows unlocked when leaving home;
• Display only your last name on your nameplate or mailbox;
• Start a "buddy system" with you neighbors in order to watch each other's homes; watch for "movers" or "repair people" at a house where no one is home.
• Lock car doors and never leave purse or valuables in your vehicle where they can be seen.
• Request real estate agent remove virtual tour / photos from website after the purchase of your home.

When Leaving Home for Several Days

• Vacation Home Checks – Citizen volunteers (VIPS) will patrol homes within the City while owners are on vacation.  To request a vacation home check, submit a completed request form in person to the Police Department, located at 152 W. Cedar Street.  Forms are available on the Sequim Police Department website at Sequimwa.gov, and at Emeraldhighlands.org.
• Cancel your paper or mail deliveries; ask that your neighbor to keep an eye on your house daily, if possible.
• Have the drapes periodically opened and closed; and have different lights turned on and off so the house appears occupied;
• Store all of your valuables;
• Consider asking friends or relatives to live in your home while you are away;
• Leave a car or ask neighbors to park their car in your driveway.

Confrontations with Intruders

Develop the habit of surveying your home as you approach it. If you note evidence that someone has broken in, DO NOT ENTER. Go to the nearest telephone and call the Sequim Police Department. Should you confront a burglar, the very first rule is: GET OUT OF HIS WAY!! Never get between a burglar and the exit, and never try to stop him. It may cost you your life!

If you are in your home and someone is prowling outside, make it appear that several people are at home. For example, call to someone, "Dan, there's something outside."

Call the police, and if it is dark, turn on the lights. If an intruder has already broken in, retreat and put other doors between the two of you. It is a good idea to have a deadbolt on an interior door. If you cannot get out, try to signal a neighbor by throwing something through a window; just the noise may frighten a burglar away.

If someone should enter your bedroom while you are in bed, pretend that you are asleep as long as he does not come near you.

If the intruder is armed, do what he says, and see that children do so as well. Remain calm, intruders generally want your property rather than your life.

Memorize a description of the intruder and write it down immediately after he has left; then call the Sequim Police Department. Don't depend on memory.

Despite precautions, if intruders are determined to enter and burglarize your home, they can probably do so. However, burglars usually seek the easiest target-and you can take steps to make your house less vulnerable.