Community Watch and Safety Tips

Village Lakes Community Watch Program
 Village Lakes and The Raleigh Police Department had a virtual meeting on March 20, 2021, on how to establish  Community Watch program and the responsibilities of its members.  A special thank you goes out to all who were able to join us for this session to represent the 381 units and 19 streets in Village Lakes.

Click here https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VLCommunityWatchParticipants  to access the recorded meeting and other information, and to confirm your interest in participating in the Community Watch Program. You may choose to be a block captain or a participating neighbor.  You may also click here to download the PowerPoint presentation.

A Community Watch Program is NOT a vigilante force working outside the normal procedures of law enforcement or a program designed for participants to take personal risks to prevent crime.

The intent of the Community Watch Program

• Build a partnership with the community to reduce crime and improve quality of life.
• Instill a greater sense of security while reducing the fear of crime.
• Create a “sense of community” and put the “neighbor” back into the neighborhood.

Call 911 or RPD’s non-emergency number (919) 831-6311 if… 

• You see something suspicious
• Someone is trespassing
• You want to report a noise issue or nuisance
• You observe speeding (note license plates, bus numbers, times, vehicle descriptions, etc.)

Community Watch Tips:
 The number one rule behind any community watch organization is to call the police if you see anything suspicious!  Call 911 for emergencies.  Call the Raleigh police non-emergency line at (919) 831-6311 for other concerns.

• Get to know your neighbors
• If you are suspicious of a solicitor, call the police and describe the solicitor and his location.  
• Don't leave valuables in your car at night, whether locked or unlocked
• When going out of town…. 
  • Ask neighbors to pick up your mail or stop mail service through the post office. 
  • For extended travel, arrange for your lawn to be mowed. 
  • Consider putting your lights on timers to make it appear as though someone is home. 
  • Call the police to advise them of the dates you'll be gone and arrange for them to drive by on random nights.
  • Ask a neighbor to take your garbage carts to and/or from the curb.

Easy Things You Can Do To Make Your Home Safer:

• Conduct a lighting audit.  Ensure you have adequate porch or landscape lights.  Consider motion-activated security lighting in dark areas.
• Ensure your security system sign is visible.
• Password-protect your Wi-Fi (individuals may loiter in the area to take advantage of open networks)
• Keep your home maintained and manicured - criminals feel safer in areas where it looks like no one cares.  Don't allow shrubs to grow over windows or to create hiding places for criminals.
• Alert your alarm company and RPD when you plan to be out of town.
• Park in your garage at night
• Remove your garage opener and anything which may appear to be of value and lock your vehicle.

Easy Things You Can Do To Make The Whole Neighborhood Safer:

• Introduce yourself to your neighbors. 
• Attend neighborhood socials.  Get to know who lives in the neighborhood so you may be better able to identify trespassers. You'll also be able to look out for one another when you're all acquainted.
• Be willing to pick up newspapers, mail, or garbage bins or to mow lawns for neighbors who will be on vacation. 
• Join the Community Watch Program – either as a participating neighbor or a block captain.