Neighborhood Crime Watch:

Neighborhood Crime Watch is a cooperative effort between the Bismarck Police Department and individual neighborhoods. Neighborhood Crime Watch is simply you and your neighbors watching out for one another. This begins with getting to know each other. Otherwise, how can you tell a neighbor from a stranger?

It is important that citizens become the eyes and ears of the police by reporting suspicious activity that is not a part of the neighborhood's routine. This is explained at an initial Neighborhood Watch meeting along with the minimal criteria for the program:

1. Active participation of a least 50% of the Watch area residents.
2. Participation in Operation Identification.
3. Meetings at least once a year.

What's in it for the citizens?

• Neighborhood Crime Watch members have a greater awareness of crime and knowledge of home security and personal safety.
• Exposure to crime prevention techniques enhances a citizen's ability to reduce opportunities for criminal acts.
• Enhanced reporting of suspicious activity makes residents more aware of who belongs in their neighborhood and are more inclined to report suspicious persons and activities to the police.
• Neighborhood Crime Watch signs serve as a warning to potential criminals that residents are concerned about crime and will call the police when suspicious activity is observed.
• The program promotes neighborliness by encouraging residents to get to know and interact with their neighbors, including exchanging information concerning vacation plans, vehicles belonging to their household, etc.
• It also encourages people to be observant of their neighborhood and to attend meetings designed to strengthen neighborhood safety and security. People feel safest, or at least more comfortable, in settings in which they are familiar.
• Neighborhood watches are not vigilante organizations. When suspecting criminal activities, members are encouraged not to intervene but to contact authorities.

When someone is interested in Neighborhood Crime Watch, we will provide them the materials to get started, as well as speaking to their group about crime, how to report it, and how to prevent it.

Operation Identification:

This program was designed to create a deterrent effect as well as enhance the recovery of stolen property. When you enroll, you are assigned a unique number, provided with materials and allowed to borrow an engraver. The number you are assigned is recognized in all 50 States, the Canadian Provinces as well as several European countries. Engrave this number onto your valuable property, which will help you record information that should always be kept. Many homeowner insurance companies offer premium reductions to people who enroll.

Security Surveys:

Upon request, a specially trained officer will come to your home or business and make an assessment of your physical security. The officer will then make recommendations, if needed, on areas where it can be improved.

Crime Stoppers:

This program was started in 1987, as another way in which valuable information on crime activity can be obtained. People are offered cash rewards for information that leads to an arrest. The unique feature about the program is that the caller can remain completely anonymous. The phone line is not traced, nor is it recorded. The activities of the program are supervised by a Crime Stoppers Board. This is a group of 15 citizens who volunteer their time to the program.

Apartment Association Background Checks:

The following link provides information for background checks on prospective tenants.
Apartment Association Background Check

Safe Rental Housing Program:

The following link provides information on the Safe Rental Housing Program which notifies landlords of police responses to their managed property.
Safe Rental Housing Program