Saratoga Neighborhood Watch Program Helps Fight Crime

Neighborhoods in Saratoga are helping combat the increasing amount of property crimes such as residential and vehicle burglaries through the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Neighborhood Watch program.

A drive along the neighborhoods near West Valley College and in other sections of the city easily reveals the small signs alerting would-be thieves and burglars that residents are on the lookout for illegal activity.

The residents work with the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Department to reduce crime and provide crime prevention talks and consulting on how to help other neighbors get the program started.

With the help of sheriff's deputies, residents become educated on burglary, identify theft, robbery prevention, among other crimes.

Santa Clara County Sheriff's Capt. Kenneth Binder said although property crimes have stayed fairly level in Saratoga over the past few years, the Valley as a whole has seen a trend upward.  

"[Neighborhood Watch] is a great tool for helping residents be aware of what's happening in their neighborhood and to be an extra set of eyes for the Sheriff's Office," Capt. Binder said. "Deputies can't be on every street, so we rely on vigilant neighbors to watch and report all suspicious activity."

The city has also been pro-active and has recommended that residents get to know each through the nextdoor.com website, which has 25 neighborhoods from which to sign up to facilitate the communication process, Capt. Binder noted.

The program involves neighbors:

• Getting to know each other and working together in an organized program of mutual assistance;
• Becoming trained to recognize and report suspicious activities in their neighborhoods; and
• Implementing crime prevention techniques such as home security, operation identification, etc.

According to the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office, anyone can participate in the program, whether they're homeowners, apartment renters, mobile home residents, young people or seniors. 

Why Neighborhood Watch?

• Over 40 million crimes are committed every year and the number is still growing.
• There can't be a law enforcement officer on every corner, so citizen involvement is essential to combat this social crisis.
• By cooperating with each other and the police, people can help fight crime in their community in a very effective way -- before it happens.

How do you get involved?

• Contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Office and explain that you are interested in joining or starting a Neighborhood Watch group.
• Write to the Attorney General's Office Crime Prevention Center, P.O. Box 944255, Sacramento, CA 94244-2550, for a copy of "Don't let 'em knock your block off!" Block Captain's Guide - a step-by-step instruction manual explaining how to organize a Neighborhood Watch group.
• Go out to the National Neighborhood Watch Institute website to obtain signs, stickers, and more information for setting up your group's program.

What do you do?

• Contact the Santa Clara County Sheriff's Community Services unit and start your own neighborhood watch group, 55 W. Younger Ave., San Jose, CA 95110, or call 408-808-4624.
• Keep your eyes and ears active watching for 'potential' criminal activity.
• If you spot something suspicious, call ''911'' immediately.
• Communicate all suspicious activity with your neighbors so they know what is happening in your area.