Policy Text
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
3 1/24/201 1 11/01/ 201 9
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
PS200 - Community Relations Programs 1 PS200 COMMUNITY RELATIONS PROGRAMS
PS200 .1 PURPOSE AND SCOPE
This procedure establishes guidelines for programs coordinated by the Community Relations Police
Services Officer s.
PS200 .1.2 ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
This policy pertains to the following CALEA Standards: 45.1.1 , 45.1.2 , 45.2.1
This procedure pertains to the following General Orders: N/A
PS200 .2 NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH PROGRAM
The Tustin Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Program partners with the residents to create
local neighborhood groups in order to reduce crime and improve neighborhood safety.
PS200 .2.1 NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH CONCEPT
Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention/opportunity reduction program to be implemented by the
local residents with the assistance of the Police Department. The citizens and the Police Department
work together to help solve problems in specific areas of the city . The citizens get to know one
another better and learn more about identification, observation, and reporting suspicious activities to
the Police Department. Communication is accomplished by meetings, social media networks , and
alerts. Each Neighborhood Watch group receives training on how to reduce their chances of
becoming victims.
PS200.3 FORMING NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH GROUPS
Tustin residents who are interested in participating in a Neighborhood Watch Program initially contact
the Community Relations Unit. The Tustin Police Department is proactive in this arena by contacting
property managers, homeowners ’ associations, and those residents experiencing crime. Police
Officers will also contact the Communi ty Relations PSO about a neighborhood needing a program.
The Neighborhood Watch Program is initiated as follows:
a) Arrang e a meeting date and location ;
b) Prepare invitation anno uncement flyers and coordinate their dis tribution with the meeting
host;
c) Prepare crime analysis of the ne ighborhood prior to the meeting ;
d) Request a TPD volunteer to assist with meeting ;
e) Pack a suitcase of crime prevention lite rature tailored to the neighborhood ;
f) Conduct traditi onal Neighborhood Watch meeting ;
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
3 1/24/201 1 11/01/ 201 9
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT
STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES
PS200 - Community Relations Programs 2 g) Obtain names, addresses, em ail addresses, phone numbers, CDL and DOB s of residents in
order to establish a Neighbor hood Watch group;
h) Set up a Neighborhood Wat ch orientation meeting ;
i) The purpose of the meeting is for those new members to meet each other, exchange contact
information, provide additional literature about Neighborhood Watch including future meeting
ideas, and setting up a follow -up meeting for their neighborhood ;
j) Inform the Board they may purchase neighborhood watch sign (s); purchase and installation
of signs is sponsore d by the Group ;
k) Signs posted on public property must be approved by the Principal Engineer in Public Works .
Signs posted on private property must be approved by the Senior Planner in Community
Development .
PS200.4 BLOCK CAPTAINS NETWORK MEETING
Block Captains ’ Network meeting is a companion piece to the Neighborhood Watch Program. It is a
venue for all neighborhood members to meet with members of the Police Department, other
Neighborhood Watch members , and to network with one another. This is a method for the members
to find out about issues in common and try to find ways to resolve them. It meets twice a year.
a) The Community Relations PSO sets up a meeting date that is in agreement with
Administrati on and Area Commanders ;
b) The date is conf irmed with Parks and Recreation ;
c) An invit ation flyer is emailed and/or mailed to all Neighborhood Watch members ;
d) The invites are followed up with phone call reminders near the meeting date ;
e) Certificates, registration lists, awards, food , program, volunteer assistance are all set up prior
to the meeting ;
f) During the meeting, the group is addressed by the Police Chief or his/her representative and
contemporary issues are addressed by members of the department .
PS200.5 PROBLEM SOLVING ISSUES
These are issues raised by Neighborhood Watch groups, e -mail inquiries, phone calls, and officer
referral. Interaction with the community involves assisting different sectors of the community in
helping them find solutions to problems. Some problems can be resolved by distributing alerts,
implementing extra patrol checks, and holding Neighborhood Watch meetings. The Community
Relations PSO assists alone or in conjunction with the Community Impact Officer, volunteers,
officers, other PSOs, Code Enforcement, and additional city personnel . The Neighborhood
Improvement Task Force (NITF) is another option in trying to problem solve. If it is an issue outside
of the scope of the Police D epartment, the citizen or group is referred to other resources.
PS200. 6 CRIME PREVENTION PRESENTATION S PROGRAM
There are a number of presentations the Community Relations PSO can provide to Neighborhood
Watch groups, businesses, children (addressed separately), residents, and seniors concerning crime
CATEGORY DATE ADOPTED LAST REVIEW
3 1/24/201 1 11/01/ 201 9
TUSTIN POLICE DEPARTMENT