La Grange Poice Department - La Grange, Texas

What happened? Where? When? How? Who did it?

If a vehicle was involved, what was it's license plate? Color? Make?

Model? Year? Which way did it go when it left?

How many people were in the vehicle? Were they armed? What was
their sex? Race? Age? Height? Weight? Hair color? Clothing? Shoes?

Any unusual characteristics?

Did they say anything?

A Neighborhood Watch does not mean prying or nosy neighbors who try to
stop criminals all by themselves. As a member, your responsibility is to call
the police and report what you've seen - NOT to take action yourself.

Remember, neighborhoods are made up of people who have the power to
protect each other's safety. By reporting any suspicious circumstances to
law enforcement agencies, members of a Neighborhood Watch actually
increase their own safety.

Police cannot fight crime they do not know about. When alert citizens
keep them informed, the police are far more effective against crime - and
citizens have better protection and safer neighborhoods.

Join your neighbors to organize a Neighborhood Watch program in your
community. You'll be protecting your own home and your own safety.

A Neighborhood Watch is an organized effort by concerned residents to
look out for each other's safety, and to help law enforcement officers
protect people and their homes against criminals. It shows people how to
cooperate with each other, and with police in a common cause - safe
homes and neighborhoods.

Working together, neighbors learn how to safeguard each other's homes
and reduce the risk of crime. They become more alert to unusual or
suspicious circumstances, individuals or vehicles. They learn that it is
better to call the police when they see something suspicious, even if their
suspicion proves unfounded, rather than keep quiet and risk letting a
neighbor be victimized by criminals.

As a member of a Neighborhood Watch, it will be your responsibility to call
the police about all suspicious activity in your neighborhood. Your and
your fellow members should report any unusual situations, such as:

A stranger entering a neighbor's home or apartment that appears to be
unoccupied.

Anyone looking into parked cars, or removing parts, gasoline or license
plates from a car.

Anyone entering or leaving a place of business after hours, or loitering
outside.

Breaking glass, gunshots, screams or abnormally barking dogs.

Anyone loitering around the neighborhood, schools or parks.

Anyone going door-to-door who tries to open a door, or goes into a
backyard.

Anyone carrying unwrapped property at any unusual time, or running
while carrying property.

Any vehicle cruising slowly back and forth on your street.

Any abandoned vehicle on your street.

Windows or doors recently broken at a home or business.

Anyone sitting in a parked car, especially at an unusual hour, outside a
home or business.

The corner store where you stop for milk and bread should also be part of
your Neighborhood Watch program, even if the owner and employees live
in other sections of town. They too worry about safety in the
neighborhood, at least as much as you and your neighbors do. After all,
an area of town where crime finds success is an area where business
people will not.

Businesses in your area are part of the neighborhood, too, and
consideration of their vulnerability to crime should be a neighborhood
concern. Somebody getting away with the burglary of the liquor store
down the street doesn't just mean the store lost money; it means crime
has come to your neighborhood.

Invite local business people to block meetings and give them the
opportunity to voice their concerns and offer their suggestions for
improving neighborhood security. Help protect their businesses -- call the
police if you see something suspicious or if you hear a burglar alarm ring.

By working together with local businesses, you can make your
neighborhood a safer place to live and work.