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Neighborhood Watch

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Neighborhood Watch

What is Neighborhood Watch?
Neighborhood Watch is a program of the Arlington County Police Department. It's a voluntary community safety program for neighbors who care about each other. The program requires a minimal investment of time and effort. The goals of the program are to:
Help lower crime by recruiting and encouraging people to watch for, prevent and report incidents.
Assist people in learning about crime, hazards, community issues, and neighborhood response in times of emergency.
Neighborhood Watch is an effective and inexpensive way to help make neighborhoods safer by:

• Reporting suspicious activity
  
• Helping neighbors prepare for community emergencies
  
• Identifying hazards
  
• Building community pride
  

Forest Hills Neighborhood Watch begins with you! You can report questionable activities to Arlington Police's non-emergency line or to your local block captain. Below are the Forest Hills Block Captains and their phone numbers.
Forest Hills Community Association is supported entirely by volunteers from the Forest Hills Community Arlington County Police non-emergency (Phone Number:  703-558-2222)

Why Call the Police
The battle against crime demands the combined efforts of police and people in the neighborhood. Because police cannot be in all places at all times, it is critical that others assist. Many crimes can be prevented if people are alert for suspicious activity and take appropriate measures to notify police. You should call the police immediately if you observe any suspicious activity, even if you are not sure what you are observing. The number to call is 703-558-2222. It is always best if you can offer as much information as possible. All information you provide is kept confidential.

Examples of Suspicious Activity are:

• A stranger walking around your neighbor's house or standing around, possibly acting as a lookout.
  
• A strange vehicle parked in your neighborhood, with or without someone in it.
  
• Someone peering into a parked vehicle or removing tags, gasoline or parts.
  
• The sound of a fight, a scream, breaking glass, or an explosion.
  
• Apparent business transactions conducted from a vehicle or on a street corner.
  
• A constant flow of strangers to and from a particular house, especially during evening hours.
  
• Door-to-door solicitors without an Arlington County solicitor's permit.
  

If Your Home Has Been Burglarized

• Leave immediately! Do not enter your home.
  
• From a safe location, call 9-1-1.
  
• Wait for the police to arrive before returning to your home.
  
• After meeting an officer, make a note of the date, time, the officer's name, and the case number provided by the officer.
  

Protect Your Property

• There are some easy-to-execute ways you can help prevent crime.
  
• Make sure all access ways have locks in good working condition.
  
• Trim shrubbery to avoid hiding places.
  

Look Out For Neighbors

• Knowledge of your neighbors is a major element in crime prevention.
  
• Find out who in the neighborhood relies on assistance that may be interrupted in times of disaster, including meal delivery, home medical aids, etc.
  
• Decide if your group wants to organize a patrol. It is not required in order to participate in Neighborhood Watch.
  

How to Contact The Police
If a situation requires contacting the Police, follow these steps:

• Stay calm and focused.
  
• Call the appropriate number.
  
• Quickly describe why you are calling.
  
• Give your name, address and phone number.
  
• Provide any suspect information you have including descriptions of people and vehicles, last know locations, directions of travel, etc.
  
• Remain on the phone to answer questions.
  
• If you are reporting a non-emergency crime, you can also do it on the Police Department site on the Incident Report page.
  

To ensure a rapid police response when you need it, the Police Department has a call priority system. High priority calls consist of reports of crimes where lives may be endangered, crimes are in progress, or where there is a chance of apprehending a criminal. As the call taker is asking questions, the information is simultaneously being made available to the dispatchers for relay to the police. It is important to continue talking with the call taker, answering questions and providing additional information as accurately as possible.

When 9-1-1 is dialed and the calling party hangs up, an officer is sent to the address. Thus, it is extremely important that children do not play with telephones and that 9-1-1 is only used in an emergency.

 Lower priority calls consist of reports of property crimes that occurred some time ago and suspects have left the scene. These calls are dispatched based on available police units and may even be handled by telephone.