Carmichael Watchgroup Uses Facebook as Crime Prevention Tool

A group of Carmichael residents has decided to take the decrease of police presence and spikes in crimes as a wake-up call to form the Carmichael Watchgroup.

The watchgroup was created by Susanne Burns in 2009 to unite the community, improve communication between neighbors and become more aware of surroundings.

“It just goes to show you the best protection is knowledge and awareness,” Burns said. “We want to stand up against the criminals.”

After Burns’ house was burglarized on May 12, she decided to become the neighborhood organizer and use the online social network Facebook to communicate with neighbors. The Carmichael Watchgroup aims to create a safe environment, even with the decrease in police enforcement.    

In 2009, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department began to plan for historical cuts, affecting the coverage throughout the region with about 450 positions, including vacant positions, deputies and reserve officers. The cuts left some communities like Carmichael noticing a decline in police patrolling.

was elected in November 2010. Since then, he has said he continues to take the opportunity to do better in developing an intelligence of policing and consolidate county functions.

Forging forward to 2011, the department continues to work within the confines of the county's newly appointed $21 million federal grant. The Sheriff’s department works to be resourceful and organizing the departments’ priorities, said.

"Our strength is not where we were before 2008," Jones said. "But we do have relative stability."

In 2010, with the $21 million grant and union concessions the department was able to prevent about 170 layoffs. The department also won a federal grant that provided the restoration of 50 officer positions.  

The impact of budget cuts are being noticed on all levels of the economy, but the efforts being taken by the community to patrol their streets to prevent crimes as the Carmichael Watchgroup continues to grow isn’t going unnoticed.

“There has been a paradigm shift in Carmichael,” Jones said. “With pro-active patrolling, the department has created an analysis unit to have the capability to find 'hot spots' where the crimes are happening.” 

Although community patrolling isn’t fully restored, a pivotal shift from non-existing to existing police presence is gradually returning to Carmichael, which has sparked a sense of renewal to some concerned residents, Burns said.

Burns is one such resident who has noticed the return of police patrolling and she is proud to report that since January, no crimes have taken place within the confines of their gated community and surrounding neighborhoods.

“Since I organized the Facebook page the followers continue to grow,” Burns said. “On a daily basis neighbors give status updates of events occurring throughout the community, creating a network of neighbors looking out for each other is important.”

So far Burns’ Facebook page continues to grow to more than 400 members, creating the exposure of crime in Carmichael. This prevention tool is a trend being utilized in some communities as the future of neighborhood watchgroups taking back their streets.

“I think that the watchgroup is outstanding,” Jones said. “I love people taking ownership of their public safety. In fact, utilizing social media such as Facebook is a great way to relay information.”

Jones said he will continue to reach out to the Carmichael community and said it’s the small things that make the community of Carmichael great like concerned citizens realizing their efforts could make a difference throughout the community.