Neighborhood Watch Program

Note to All Residents:  We ask each of you to participate in our Neighborhood Watch Program.  Always be on the alert for any suspicious activity in Saddlebrook.  If you see any type of suspicious activity or a crime in progress, call 911 immediately (see below).  Please notify the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator or your Block Captain as soon as possible. 

If you have not already given Kingdom Management your e-mail address (doris@kingdommanagement.com), please consider doing so as our Neighborhood Watch will notify everyone via e-mail any time there is suspicious activity in the neighborhood.

 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 I.             COORDINATOR

 A.  The Neighborhood Watch liaison between the board members and residents.  The Coordinator should attend all board meetings, give a report to the board and get board approval for all activities and functions.

B.   Coordinates all Neighborhood Watch activities and gives direction to the Block Captains and Block Watchers.

C.   Member of SHADCO (Sheriff’s Advisory Council) and attends monthly meetings as a representative of Saddlebrook.  Acts as liaison with the police department and disseminates information to residents. 

D.   Notifies all Saddlebrook residents (flyer and/or e-mail) concerning any criminal activity in our area,  special alerts, and crime prevention information.

E.   Acts as a base station for Operation Identification (a way for residents to permanently mark their electronics and other valuables for easier identification in case of theft).  Block captains can obtain Operation Identification materials from the Coordinator for their assigned area.

F.   Schedule meetings and special presentations with residents as needed.

G.   Write an article for quarterly newsletters to update residents.

 II.            BLOCK CAPTAINS

 A.   Coordinator for all information in their designated area.  Distribute Neighborhood Watch information, encourage neighbors to participate in meetings and encourage all residents to act as Block Watchers.

B.   Act as liaison between the Coordinator and the Block Watchers, and disseminate any information which may lead to the solution of a crime.

C.   When requested, act as an information base for residents when they leave for vacation or any time their home will be empty for a period of time.  If appropriate, find out who has a key (you are not responsible to keep a key unless you choose to), where they are going, and how they can be reached in case of emergency.

  III.          BLOCK WATCHER (as many residents as possible)

 A.   Act as eyes and ears for your neighbors and report any suspicious activity to the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (see page 2).

B.    Study crime prevention material furnished by Neighborhood Watch.

C.    If requested, check homes of neighbors when they are out of town.

D.   Cooperate with and assist the Block Captain.

TO ALL SADDLEBROOK RESIDENTS

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR VARIOUS SITUATIONS

One of the advantages of living in a small community is that we know who is supposed to be in the neighborhood.  Please use the information below as a guide as to whom you should contact in various situations.  Never put yourself in harm’s way by confronting someone suspicious.  Notify the authorities and let them handle the situation. 

 911 — EMERGENCIES

What is an emergency?  Any crime, medical situation or fire that is in progress, a personal injury accident, or any crime that has just occurred and the suspect is still on the scene or there is a possibility of apprehension.

• Crimes in progress
• Suspicious activity (Prowlers, someone unfamiliar in the neighborhood on foot or in a vehicle)
• Medical emergencies
• Fires
• Serious accidents / injuries
• Person shot / shots fired
• Person stabbed
• Robbery / burglary in progress
• Fights
• Live wires down
• Someone crawling in a window

 SHERIFF’S OFFICE — (904) 630-0500

• Disruptive Parties, Underage Drinking, Suspected Drug Use –Don’t hesitate to call this number If someone is throwing a party that is extremely loud or in any way disruptive to the neighbors (especially in the evening hours).  After the police come out, if the party gets out of control again, PLEASE make a second call to the police.  They will come back out and take further action.
• Report suspected criminal activity of any kind
• Skate board/bike ramps and other items placed in the street.  It is very dangerous for children to play in the street, especially at dusk and after dark when visibility is poor.  In addition, ramps and other items left in the street are a road hazard and could result in a vehicle accident.

• Any type of suspicious or strange behavior of unknown persons
• An unfamiliar person who looks suspicious walking in the neighborhood, in a neighbor’s yard or near their house or garage
• Erratic or dangerous driving (yes, that does include excessive speed)

 ANIMAL CONTROL — (904) 387-8924

• Unleashed and/or aggressive dogs (or other animals) wandering the neighborhood
• Jacksonville has a “pooper scooper” law which states that if a dog owner is not on their property, they are required to pick up any droppings their pet leaves behind.  The City has a form for you to complete if someone’s dog leaves droppings on your property.  Please contact Kingdom Management for copies of this form.  (It only takes two reports for Animal Control to issue a citation.)

 CRIME STOPPERS — 1-866-845-TIPS (8477)

• If you have information about any crime committed, call the Crime Stoppers hotline.  You can remain anonymous and could receive a reward up to $1,000.00.

DARK WATCH LIST — Going out of town?  Call the JSO Zone 3 Substation (828-5463) and ask to be put on the “Dark Watch List”.  You need to inform them of any lights on timers, people who will be stopping in to look after pets, etc., so they know what the norm is.  They will call you to let you know if anything looks out of order.