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Home My WebLink About10-25-2018 Public Safety Task Force Agenda Packet Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Agenda - Page 1 of 2 SARATOGA PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE REGULAR MEETING October 25, 2018 6:00 P.M. REGULAR MEETING City Hall, Linda Callon Conference Room | 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 ROLL CALL REPORT ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA The agenda for this meeting was properly posted on October 18, 2018. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS ON NON-AGENDIZED ITEMS Any member of the public may address the Public Safety Task Force for up to three (3) minutes on matters not on the Agenda. The law generally prohibits the Public Safety Task Force from discussing or taking action on such items. However, the Public Safety Task Force schedule the item for discussion at a future meeting. AGENDA ITEMS: 1. Public Safety Task Force Minutes Recommended Action: Review and approve draft minutes from the October 4, 2018 meeting. 2. Public Safety Metrics Recommended Action: Review monthly update to public safety metrics. Metrics will be provided at the meeting. 3. Neighborhood Watch Lead Gathering Debrief Recommended Action: Discuss the Neighborhood Watch Lead Gathering held on October 4, 2018. ADJOURNMENT CERTIFICATE OF POSTING OF THE AGENDA, DISTRIBUTION OF AGENDA PACKET, & COMPLIANCE WITH AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT I, Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager for the City of Saratoga, declare that the foregoing agenda for the meeting of the Public Safety Task Force was posted and available for review on Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Agenda - Page 2 of 2 October 18, 2018 at the City of Saratoga, 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Saratoga, CA 95070 and on the City's website at www.saratoga.ca.us. Signed this 18th day of October 2018 at Saratoga, California. Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager In accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act, copies of the staff reports and other materials provided to the Public Safety Task Force by City staff in connection with this agenda are available at the office of the City Clerk at 13777 Fruitvale Avenue, Sarato ga, CA 95070. In Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact the City Clerk at 408.868.1294. Notification 24 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting. [28 CFR 5.102-35.104 ADA title II] PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE AGENDA PLANNER MEETING DATE AGENDA ITEMS March 27, 2017  Nomination of Chair/Vice Chair  Overview of State/City Laws & Policies  Review Public Safety Task Force Objectives, Development of Work Plan  Meeting Schedule  Future Agenda Items April 27, 2017  Review/approval of Minutes  Review of Public Safety Statistics  Proposed Public Safety Task Force Work Plan May 25, 2017  Review/approval of Minutes  Solved Crime/Arrest Data  Proposed Public Safety Task Force Work Plan  Future Agenda Items June 22, 2017  Review/approval of Minutes  Public Safety Metrics (Arrest Data: on-view vs warrant, Calls for Service)  Work Plan Implementation Council Priorities & Implementation Timeline  City Budget Overview  Work Plan Item: Improved Public Safety Webpage  Work Plan Item: Mobile App that Includes Public Safety Information  Future Agenda Items July 27, 2017  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering  Work Plan Item: Mobile App  Rescheduling November and December Meeting Dates  CERT Overview  Future Agenda Items August 24, 2017  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Mobile App  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering  Scheduling the Saratoga Safety Fair & CERT/Neighborhood Watch Leader Gathering  Rescheduling November and December Meeting Dates  Future Agenda Items September 28, 2017  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Gathering  Work Plan Item: Saratoga Safety Fair  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch & CERT Gathering  Future Agenda Items October 26, 2017  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Gathering – Debrief  Work Plan Item: Public Safety Webpage  Ongoing Success and Sustainability of Neighborhood Watch o Work Plan Item: Review Neighborhood Watch Process/Guidelines o Work Plan Item: Guidelines for Keeping Neighborhood Watch Groups Active  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch & CERT Gathering  Work Plan Item: Saratoga Safety Fair  Future Agenda Items November 28, 2017  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Saratoga Safety Fair (Fundraising Plan)  Public Safety Task Force Budget Requests  Work Plan Item: Increase Neighborhood Watch Groups  Future Agenda Items January 25, 2018  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Task Force Work Plan and Status Update  Work Plan Item: Saratoga Safety Fair (including resource booth outreach)  Preparation for Joint Meeting with Saratoga CERT Leadership  Public Safety Postcard  Neighborhood Watch Brochure  Future Agenda Items February 22, 2018  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Joint Meeting with CERT Leadership o Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch/CERT Collaboration o Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch & CERT Gathering  Commission Work Plan Study Session & Task Force Work Plan  Neighborhood Watch Brochure  Future Agenda Items March 5, 2018 Commission Work Plan Study Session March 22, 2018  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Commission Work Plan Study Session Debrief  Work Plan Item: Review Neighborhood Watch Registration Process, Neighborhood Watch Guidelines  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch & CERT Gathering  Work Plan Item: Saratoga Safety Fair (Status Update)  Future Agenda Items April 21, 2018 Neighborhood Watch/CERT Get Together 5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. Saratoga Prospect Center, Friendship Hall April 26, 2018  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Lead Survey  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch & CERT Gathering Debrief  Work Plan Item: Saratoga Safety Fair  Work Plan Item: Review Neighborhood Watch Registration Process, Neighborhood Watch Guidelines  Future Agenda Items May 20, 2018 Saratoga Safety Fair 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. West Valley College, Campus Center May 24, 2018  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of 2018  Public Safety Postcard (August 2018)  Work Plan Item: Saratoga Safety Fair Debrief  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Lead Survey  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Guide  Future Agenda Items June 28, 2018  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of 2018  Work Plan Item: Public Safety Task Force Transition Plan  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Lead Survey  Neighborhood Watch Initiation, Protocols, and Privacy Concerns  Future Agenda Items July 26, 2018  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of 2018  Work Plan Item: Public Safety Task Force Transition Plan  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Lead Survey  Work Plan Item: Fall Neighborhood Watch Lead Gathering  Rescheduling November Meeting Date  Future Agenda Items August 23, 2018  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Public Safety Task Force Transition Plan  Work Plan Item: Fall Neighborhood Watch Lead Gathering  Future Agenda Items September 27, 2018 MEETING CANCELED October 4, 2018 Special Meeting  Work Plan Item: Public Safety Task Force Transition Plan  Public Safety Postcard (November 2018)  Neighborhood Watch Lead Gathering (6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.) October 25, 2018  Review/approval of Minutes  Monthly Public Safety Metrics  Work Plan Item: Neighborhood Watch Gathering Debrief  Future Agenda Items November 22, 2018 MEETING CANCELED RESOLUTION 17-010 - PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE ROLE/DUTY: “The Public Safety Task Force will serve in an advisory capacity to the City Council on matters related to public safety and is charged with providing recommendations that can be considered and utilized by the City Council to enhance public safety in the City of Saratoga.” PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE MEMBERSHIP FIRST NAME LAST NAME NOMINATED BY CITY EMAIL Ray Cosyn Mayor Bernald rcosyn@saratoga.ca.us John Hirokawa Chair Vice Mayor Cappello jhirokawa@saratoga.ca.us Rebecca Jepsen Council Member Lo rjepsen@saratoga.ca.us Chuck Page Vice Chair Council Member Miller cpage@saratoga.ca.us Arun Venkatachar Council Member Kumar avenkatachar@saratoga.ca.us PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE WORK PLAN Approved June 7, 2017, Revised March 5, 2018 MISSION: Enhance public safety in the City of Saratoga. GOAL: Bring greater awareness to public safety through outreach and education; strengthen partnerships between residents and their neighbors, the City, and public safety agencies; and monitor and track progress of City efforts. PROPOSED ACTION ITEMS IMPLEMENTATION 1. Outreach and Education: A. Create an improved public safety website  Review existing content and provide staff with recommended changes before the launch of the new City website, scheduled for late summer/early fall 2017. B. Create a mobile app that includes public safety information  Provide staff with recommendations for desired content and functionality to be implemented in mobile app available through CivicPlus.  Review effectiveness of mobile app after implementation. C. Increase public safety communications on a broad range of public safety topics and provide regular communications on public safety (as needed or on a set schedule)  Create a public safety communications plan that identifies the audience, strategies for communicating (including priority messages/information and communication frequency), format for communications (such as email), and measure for success.  Include schools in communication efforts to target parents. D. Hold a Saratoga Safety Fair that provides residents with a variety of public safety resources, including information on domestic violence reporting/prevention, identity theft prevention, and burglary prevention  Identify event objectives and create an estimated event budget  Request event funding from the City council  Schedule event date and time  Work with staff to create outreach strategy  Document event planning process and lessons learned so that it can be recreated in future years 2. Strengthen Partnerships: A. Host a gathering of Neighborhood Watch leaders  Schedule event date and time  Work with staff to create outreach strategy  Document event planning process and lessons learned so that it can be recreated in future years B. Increase the number of Neighborhood Watch groups  Identify areas without a Neighborhood Watch  Conduct targeted outreach to those areas to solicit interest in Neighborhood Watch, including CERT members that may not be part of an existing Neighborhood Watch C. Encourage collaboration between Neighborhood Watch and CERT by working to have 1 CERT member per neighborhood  Identify Neighborhood Watch groups without active CERT Members  Conduct targeted outreach to those areas to solicit interest in CERT D. Review process and guidelines for forming Neighborhood Watch groups  Recommend changes to the City’s Neighborhood Watch registration process, if necessary E. Establish guidelines for keeping Neighborhood Watch groups active  Survey or solicit input from Neighborhood Watch groups to better understand what has worked well and should be avoided when forming Neighborhood Watch groups or keeping them active  Draft a guide for keeping a Neighborhood Watch group active 3. Monitor and Track Progress: A. Develop a metric for measuring success of public safety efforts, such as arrest rates  Work with Sheriff’s Office to identify effective measures for tracking progress, including crime rates, calls to 911, and arrest rates or case solved rates  Identify regular review period (such as annual or quarterly) to monitor success B. Measure/monitor engagement of Neighborhood Watch groups  Create Neighborhood Watch survey for leads to inquire about activities and engagement  Regularly review Neighborhood Watch registration and grant applications (such as annual or quarterly) 4. Council Directed Items A. Transition Plan  Create transition plan that provides guidance and recommendation for the City Council to consider following the sunset of the Task Force in November 2018. B. Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of 2018  Review the Reducing Crime and Keeping California Safe Act of 2018 and provide the City Council with a recommendation on whether to support the initiative. CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES & DIRECTION FOR IMPLEMENTATION: - Improve Public Safety Website - Communications and Outreach o Include schools in outreach to target parents - Gathering of Neighborhood Watch Leaders - Development of metric(s) - Present any budget requests that may be needed to achieve work plan items to the Council by the December 6, 2017 City Council Meeting Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 1 of 4 MINUTES OCTOBER 4, 2018 PUBLIC SAFETY TASK FORCE SPECIAL MEETING Chair John Hirokawa called the meeting to order at 5:05 p.m. in the Joan Pisani Community Center. Everyone present except Rebecca, with Mark ROLL CALL PRESENT: Chair John Hirokawa, Vice Chair Chuck Page, Members Ray Cosyn, Rebecca Jepsen, Arun Venkatachar ABSENT: None ALSO PRESENT: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager Lieutenant Mark Roggia, Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Lakhinder Walia REPORT ON POSTING OF THE AGENDA Deputy City Manager Crystal Bothelio reported that the agenda for this meeting was properly posted on September 28, 2018. AGENDA ITEMS: 1. Public Safety Task Force Minutes Recommended Action: Review and approve draft minutes from the August 23, 2018 meeting. PAGE/COSYN MOVED TO APPROVE DRAFT MINUTES FROM THE AUGUST 23, 2018 MEETING. MOTION PASSED. AYES: COSYN, HIROKAWA, PAGE, VENKATACHAR. NOES: NONE. ABSTAIN: NONE. ABSENT: JEPSEN. 2. Public Safety Task Force Transition Plan Recommended Action: Finalize the transition plan and final recommendations to the City Council, as directed by the City Council at the March 2018 Work Plan Study Session. The Task Force agreed to change the letter from the Mayor to a letter from the City to Neighborhood Watch leads that expresses appreciation for their service to the community. Vice Chair Page suggested that the City post a weekly public safety tip on Nextdoor. The Task Force concurred on including this as recommendation #2. 3 Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 2 of 4 Member Venkatachar suggested changing “Establish the City as the only source of Neighborhood Watch messaging” to “Establish the City as the official source of Neighborhood Watch messaging.” The Task Force agreed. Vice Chair Page requested an additional recommendation to have City email accounts issued to each Neighborhood Watch group and program the email accounts to redirect to the lead(s) for each group. The Task Force agreed. Member Venkatachar proposed that the City issue cameras to each Neighborhood Watch group. The Task Force considered the idea and declined it. The Task Force revised the wording of “Create guidelines for Neighborhood Watch leads regarding sharing and distributing information to their neighbors” to “Create guidelines for Neighborhood Watch leads who are sharing and distributing information to their neighbors, such as what to share, when to share, and how to share.” Lakhinder Walia provided input on the fina l list of recommendations. The Task Force agreed on the following list of recommendations to the presented to the City Council at the November 7, 2018 City Council Meeting: 1. Extend the term of the Task Force beyond November 2018 with new members. 2. Post a weekly public safety tip on Nextdoor. 3. Create a formalized Neighborhood Watch Orientation, which is required as part of the registration process, that is led by a member of trained team of individuals that could include staff, volunteers, or Task Fo rce Members. 4. Conduct the Safety Fair annually. 5. Conduct biannual Neighborhood Watch lead gatherings. 6. Continue mailing quarterly public safety postcards to all households in Saratoga. 7. Send a letter from the City to Neighborhood Watch leads to express app reciation for their service to the community. 8. Use the City seal or clear branding for Neighborhood Watch messages from the City. 9. Establish the City as the only source of Neighborhood Watch messaging. 10. Create guidelines for Neighborhood Watch leads who ar e sharing and distributing information to their neighbors, such as what to share, when to share, and how to share . 11. Create City issued email accounts for all Neighborhood Watch groups that can be setup to automatically redirect emails to Neighborhood Watch lead(s). 3. Public Safety Postcard Recommended Action: Provide feedback on the November public safety postcard. 4 Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 3 of 4 The Task Force requested the following changes: - Remove the words “Help holiday gifts arrive on time” from the first tip, add “Check USPS tracking services that are available.” - Replace the word “Never” with “Don’t” in bold, caps in tip 3. - Revise tip 4 to read “If you go on holiday” instead of “If you plan to leave town for winter break.” - Change tip 5 to “Online shopping is a great way to beat the crowds” instead of “Online shopping is a great way to beat mall crowds.” - Change tip 6 to “Prepare for stormy weather and surprises” instead of “Prepare for winter storms and any surprise Mother Nature may throw at you.” - Change the last Tip from Captain Rich to, “If you start to go into a skid” instead of “If you feel your car starting to skid.” Lakhinder Walia provided input on the postcard. 4. Neighborhood Watch Lead Gathering Recommended Action: Conduct a gathering of Neighborhood Watch leaders and the City of Saratoga Neighborhood Watch program. At 6:00 p.m., the Task Force conducted the Neighborhood Watch Lead Gathering. Chair John Hirokawa and Mayor Mary-Lynne Bernald provided welcoming remarks. Santa Clara County Fire Chief Tony Bowden and Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Mark Roggia gave presentations. Participants then engaged in small group discussions. After small group discussions concluded, each table was invited to share their key findings, which included: - It would be helpful for the City to provide more money for cameras and Neighborhood Watch gatherings - Very large groups can be difficult to administer and can be divided into smaller groups - It is challenging to co llect personal contact information, small group gatherings are a good way to collect this information - After the group launched, maybe neighbors became apathetic and disengaged - Groups should focus on creating a happy neighborhood as a goal - It is helpful t o create a group text or email to share information - It is important to keep the group active outside of block parties - Another way to overcome the reluctance to share contact information was to go door to door - If someone isn’t home or doesn’t want to share their contact information, always leave a flyer with information 5 Saratoga Public Safety Task Force Minutes - Page 4 of 4 - Monthly emails and emergency updates are good pieces of information to share with your neighborhood - Groups should communicate at least once a month - Leads should remind people what they can do and what to look out for - Gatherings don’t have to be a large annual barbeque. Groups should just get together. - Not everyone is required to attend gatherings. - It’s important for groups to get together in person. - Encourage residents to request patrol checks from the Sheriff’s Office when they are out of town - Residents should find out where their gas meter is and where their neighbor’s meter is, in case they need to be shut off - Thursday is a good day for lead gatherings ADJOURNMENT The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted: Crystal Bothelio , Deputy City Manager City of Saratoga 6 CITY OF SARATOGA Memorandum To: Public Safety Task Force From: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager Date: October 25, 2018 Subject: Public Safety Metrics At every meeting, the Task Force receives monthly updates to public safety metrics, including reported crime, arrests, and suspicious calls. The reoccurring item provides the Task Force with the opportunity to discuss trends and recent activity. 7 Burglary, Residential ID Theft, Forgery, Fraud Vandalism Grand Theft Burglary, Vehicle Domestic Violence Burglary, Commercial Auto Theft Simple & Aggravated Assaults Sex Crimes Robbery 2014 98 66 24 32 34 21 26 20 8 6 1 2015 123 103 36 29 33 29 24 20 13 9 1 2016 130 107 31 24 15 31 16 9 21 9 6 2017 69 70 19 23 14 20 19 18 12 7 6 2018 48 55 14 17 24 16 12 12 5 8 4 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 CRIMES 2014 -2018 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 8 Burglary, Residential 22% ID Theft, Forgery, Fraud 26% Vandalism 6% Grand Theft 8% Burglary, Vehicle 11% Domestic Violence 7% Burglary, Commercial 6% Auto Theft 6% Simple & Aggravated Assaults 2% Sex Crimes 4%Robbery 2% CRIMES 2018 9 10 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Total Arrests 25 7 8 11 9 Patrol Arrests 14 6 6 8 4 Detective/Warrant Arrests 11 1 1 3 5 # Residential Burglaries 98 123 130 69 48 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY & ARRESTS 2014 -2018 11 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Calls for Service 29 26 31 27 19 29 40 15 21 # Residential Burglaries 5 10 8 3 4 0 3 5 10 Arrests 1 3 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 Patrol Arrests 1 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Detective/Warrant Arrests 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 4 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES, ARRESTS, & CALLS FOR SERVICE BY MONTH - 2018 12 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2014 Calls 22 26 27 24 23 21 31 26 15 20 21 23 2015 Calls 15 30 27 26 27 24 16 25 13 22 28 43 2016 Calls 28 25 39 25 29 16 24 37 37 34 33 53 2017 Calls 25 36 28 20 22 24 17 38 34 17 24 40 2018 Calls 29 26 31 27 19 29 40 0 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 CALLS FOR SERVICE/SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY 2014 -2018 BY MONTH 13 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Calls 279 296 380 325 201 Res. Burglaries 98 123 130 69 48 0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 CALLS FOR SERVICE & RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES 2014 -2018 14 Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Crime Definitions Burglary, Residential The criminal offense of breaking and entering a residence illegally for the purpose of committing a crime. Identity Theft, Forgery, Fraud Identity Theft: Knowingly transferring or using, without lawful authority, a means of identification of another person with the intent to commit, or to aid or abet, any unlawful activity Forgery: The creation of a false written document or alteration of a genuine one, with the intent to defraud Fraud: A false representation of a matter of fact —whether by words or by conduct, by false or misleading allegations, or by concealment of what should have been disclosed—that deceives and is intended to deceive another so that the individual will act upon it to her or his legal injury. Vandalism Deliberate defacing or destruction of property Grand Theft Unlawful taking in any of the following, with the intent to steal:  Money, labor, or property with a value of over $950  Farm products including domestic fowl and crops with a value of over $250  Ocean and agricultural products taken from a research facility with a value of over $250  Money, labor, or property taken by an employee from their direct employer over a 12 month period with an aggregate value of over $950  Property taken from the person of another  When the property taken is a car, firearm, horse, or any other farm animal, regardless of value Burglary, Vehicle The criminal offense of breaking and entering a vehicle illegally for the purpose of committing a crime. Domestic Violence Abuse or threats of abuse when the person being abused and the abuser are or have been in an intimate relationship (married or domestic partners, are dating or used to date, live or lived together, or have a child together) Burglary, Commercial The criminal offense of breaking and entering a commercial building illegally for the purpose of committing a crime. Auto Theft Unlawful taking or driving of a vehicle Simple & Aggravated Assaults Simple Assault: Unlawful attempt, coupled with a present ability, to commit a violent injury on the person of another Aggravated Assault: Assault with an "aggravating circumstance" to elevate the charges against the defendant. For example, use of a deadly weapon is often considered an aggravating circumstance that can elevate a charge to aggravated assault. Sex Crimes Criminal acts involving but not limited to rape, indecent exposure, lewd conduct, sexual assault, child pornography, child sex abuse, and violations of sex offender registration requirements pursuant to PC 290. Robbery The taking of money or goods in the possession of another, from his or her person or immediate presence, by force or intimidation. 15 CITY OF SARATOGA Memorandum To: Public Safety Task Force From: Crystal Bothelio, Deputy City Manager Date: October 25, 2018 Subject: Neighborhood Watch Lead Gathering On October 4, the Public Safety Task Force hosted its third Neighborhood Watch Lead Gathering at the Joan Pisani Community Center Multipurpose Room from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Roughly 40 people attended the event and received presentations from Santa Clara County Fire Chief Tony Bowden and Santa Clara County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Mark Roggia. Afterwards, participants broke up into small group for discussion and reported out their key findings, listed below. - It would be helpful for the City to provide more money for cameras and Neighborhood Watch gatherings - Very large groups can be difficult to administer and can be divided into smaller groups - It is challenging to collect personal contact information, small group gatherings are a good way to collect this information - After the group launched, maybe neighbors became apathetic and disengaged - Groups should focus on creating a happy neighborhood as a goal - It is helpful to create a group text or email to share information - It is important to keep the group active outside of block parties - Another way to overcome the reluctance to share contact information was to go door to door - If someone isn’t home o r doesn’t want to share their contact information, always leave a flyer with information - Monthly emails and emergency updates are good pieces of information to share with your neighborhood - Groups should communicate at least once a month - Leads should remind people what they can do and what to look out for - Gatherings don’t have to be a large annual barbeque. Groups should just get together. - Not everyone is required to attend gatherings. - It’s important for groups to get together in person. - Encourage residents to request patrol checks from the Sheriff’s Office when they are out of town - Residents should find out where their gas meter is and where their neighbor’s meter is, in case they need to be shut off - Thursday is a good day for lead gatherings 16