Lifestyles Program

Crime Prevention Education for Homeowners

Crime Free Lifestyle Program Benefits

• Excellent Way to Educate Homeowners
  • awareness of crime trends
  • crime reductions
  • less patrol response
  • less investigations
  • less prosecutions
    
• Cost Efficient Alternative to Block Watch
• Provides Financial Incentive to Residents
• Annual Incentive to Renew Membership
• Every Resident Can Achieve Certification
• Crime Free Lifestyles Commitment

Why Offer the Crime Free Lifestyle Program

• Single Family Home Owners
  • larger financial investment
  • longer-term investment
  • committed to the neighborhood

• Old 50% Blockwatch Participation Rule Does Not Apply
  • no citizens denied
  • participation despite neighbors’ apathy
  • every citizen has the opportunity to become “fully certified”
  • Finanacial Incentive to Stay Active—(W.I.I.F.M.)

Eyes and Ears -- Just the Beginning!

• Block watch principles are still presented!
  • also teach new principles beyond eyes and ears
  • teaches a complete Crime Free Lifestyle
  • family security & safety
  • dumpster divers
  • check washing
  • home invasions
  • identity theft
  • internet crimes
  • fraudulent schemes
  • methamphetamine labs
  • auto theft / Watch Your Car

Educational Opportunities

• 9-1-1 Operator
  • priority dispatch system
  • number of calls for service
  • number of cars on the street
• Beat officer
  • patrol procedures
  • requesting fingerprints
• K-9 officer—Interesting Demonstrations
• Narcotics
  • recognizing illegal activity
  • reporting illegal activity
  • education for parents
• Citizens Academy Principle
  • extremely popular
  • extremely progressive
  • possible a passing fancy
• NOT a “cookie cutter” program (Like the CFMHP)
  • your region has similar crimes as nation
  • your region has different crimes than nation
  • your region may not be affected by some crimes

Another Three Phase Program

• Phase One—Training Program
  • one night per week / Saturday
  • 2-3 hours (as desired)
  • 4-8 weeks (as desired)
  • 8 to 24 hours total (as desired)
  • held at a Community Center
  • resident must complete training program
  • receives certificate of completion
• Phase Two—CPTED Requirements
  • eyeviewers
  • solid core or metal clad doors
  • deadbolts on exterior doors
  • high security strike plates
  • exterior hinges must be pinned
  • landscaping to police requirements
  • dusk to dawn lighting-motion detectors
  • lift and slide protection on sliding doors / windows
• Phase Three—The Crime Free Commitment
  • residents sign the Crime Free Commitment
  • agree to secure their home when leaving
  • agree to secure vehicles / remove valuables
  • agree to secure bicycles / lawnmower / tools
  • agree to close the garage door when unattended
  • agree to engrave valuable with Operation Identification
  • agree to inventory valuables / record model & serial numbers
  • police department issues certificate for one-year insurance discount
  • police department issues static cling window decals / Lifestyle Signs
• Other Insurance discounts based on honor system like:
  • non-smoker’s home insurance policy
  • non-alcohol / drug user life insurance policy
  • registered owner only driver’s insurance policy

Disadvantages of the Old Block Watch Program

• Some Agencies Have Discontinued Block Watch
  • matter of “more officers on the street”
  • departments face budgeting issues
  • doesn’t have to be “all or nothing”
  • there is a reasonable alternative
• Block Watch / Neighborhood Watch
  • 50% Participation Rule
  • the police conduct many meetings
  • no program without 50% of neighbors
  • many people are still denied membership
• Eyes and Ears Principles
  • observe and report
  • intended to be a “proactive” principle
  • in reality, it is mostly a “reactive” principle
  • requires people to “watch”
• just “want that sign!”
• residents become apathetic
• self-defeating program
• residents move away
• Very Labor Intensive = Very Expensive
  • multiple block watch officers
  • cost of salaries cost of benefits
  • cost of gasoline
  • cost of automobiles
• multiple speakers go to multiple neighborhoods
  • several meetings in one night
  • duplication of effort is expensive
  • meet with small groups
  • ratio of 12:1not uncommon
  • ratio of 100:1 more cost effective

Crime Free Conference Surrey, BC Canada (July 14-16, 2008)

Links to our Associate Members