Neighborhood Watch Program

The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office has a program in place known as COPS Neighborhood. This is a Community Oriented Police neighborhood. It is organized to enable the police and the community to work together to make specific geographical areas more crime resistant to reduce crime. Police and sheriff’s offices across the country are learning that community participation in anti-crime programs is essential. One of the most effective ways to promote citizen interaction with police is the sharing of information. Citizen groups determine specific needs or problems and then share this information and report back to the group on their progress. In our department Project COPS is a crime prevention program that:

1. Teaches citizens techniques to reduce the risk of being victimized at home and in public.
    

2. Trains citizens on the importance of recognizing suspicious activities and how to report them.
    

3. Allow neighbors to get to know one another and their routines, so that any out-of-place activity can be reported and investigated.
    

4. A cohesive body of concerned citizens addressing issues that concern the entire community.

Project COPS is not:

1. A vigilante force working outside the normal procedures of Law Enforcement.
    

2. A program designed for participants to take personal risk to prevent crime.
    

3. A 100% guarantee that crime will not occur in your neighborhood.

Meetings and Requirements

1. Introductory Meeting- 50% of all homes must be represented.

2. Lock and Alarm: Principles of home security/Liaison and Block Captain Meeting.

   1. Liaison and Block Captains will meet 30 minutes prior or after the lock and alarm presentation meeting.

   2. All Block Captains and Liaison must attend.

   3. Liaison and Block Captain list must be completed and given to the Crime Prevention Officer within 10 days of second meeting.

3. Community's choice of a program offered by the Crime Prevention Unit.

   1. All Liaisons and Block Captains must attend.

   2. Window decals distributed.

   3. C.O.P.S. signs for main entrance ordered.

4. Community's choice of a program offered by the Crime Prevention Unit.

   1. Liaison and Block Captain Meeting.

5. Master Community Ceremony/ Master Community Maintenance Program begins.

MEETINGS AND REQUIREMENTS MUST BE COMPLETED WITHIN ONE YEAR OF START DATE!

If you would like more information about Project COPS or would like to start a neighborhood watch in your community, please contact Lt. Tony Wooten.