GIUDELINES FOR THE MAPLE AVENUE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH GROUP - Patchogue, NY
(Taber St, Northridge St., Rose Ave., Cleveland St., Oak St., Wood St., Grant Place, Maple Avenue, and Medford Avenue.)
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(Guidelines originally published in the paper version of the Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch Gazette. Although these guidelines were written in 1995, they are still valid today. Some of the original names have been retained so that you, the reader, could fully realize the extent of community, Police, and governmental cooperation! The contact information has been updated!)
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Quotes From Deputy Inspector Bienz,
of the Suffolk County Police Department (1995)
Police Department cannot control crime in our neighborhood without the help of concerned citizens like us.
“Apathy is what caused many good neighborhoods to go down the tubes.”
“Criminals will stay where they feel at home. It is your job as a Neighborhood Watch Member to make it as uncomfortable as possible for criminals to operate in your neighborhood.”
Personal Security
On the issue of security and protection for our Watch members, Deputy Inspector Bienz said the Police Department does not want to know exactly who we are when we write letters revealing criminal activity. It is only necessary to list which Neighborhood Watch Group you are from, in our case, The Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch.
The Maple Ave Neighborhood Watch believes that it is best not to tell anyone that you reported a crime or violation.
When reporting a violation, via phone, do not give your name, just say "Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch. If you choose to write letters, sign them as "Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch."
I Am A Senior Citizen; Can I Be Of Assistance To My Community?
Senior Citizens are our most valuable resource. Because our retired neighbors are not bound by work obligations, they are in our Neighborhood when we are working. We depend on them to protect our houses when we are not around. The days of not getting involved are gone. Unfortunately everyone must help in order to protect our Community. WE ARE EXCEPTIONALLY PROUD OF OUR SENIOR CITIZEN MEMBERS
As a member of the Neighborhood Watch; what can I do to protect my home and my neighbor’s home?1. Get to know the neighbors on every side of your house, front, rear, right side, and left side.
2. Put up a six foot Chain Link fence in your back yard, Criminals often gain access to your house through your back yard. A chain link fence will offer more visibility than a stockade fence.
3. Put up Security Motion Sensing Lights on all four sides of your house if possible.
4. Have your neighbors telephone numbers handy, and call when something "doesn’t look right."
5. Share the responsibility of keeping an eye on your neighbor’s house. If you go on vacation, ask a neighbor to pick up the Newspapers.
6. Keep a log book and record in it the description of any person, automobile, or anything that might look even slightly suspicious. Be sure to include the Date and Time of each entry, and sign your name to each entry. Be sure to include the license plate number of the suspicious car. (Use Binoculars to see the plate number) Be sure to record the height, weight, sex, hair color, ethnic origin, clothes, and facial features of suspicious individuals.
7. Install a Home Security System. A modest system with only one IR Sensor is better than not having one at all. Some Guidelines for Neighborhood Patrols.
8. When going on vacation, send a letter to the Postmaster, asking them to stop delivery of your mail. Ask your Postman!
9. Go On Patrol: When driving back home, late at night, it is imperative that you drive through our Neighborhood Watch Area, and look for suspicious activity.
When you encounter illegal activity, do not intervene, do not talk to the people, do not stop your car, do not get involved, you could get seriously hurt; Just go home and call the police or the Village Code.
Doesn’t sound like much, but believe me it is the single best thing you could do. If you were a criminal, could you operate in a neighborhood with 600 residents constantly turning you in to the Police Department, every time you attempt to do something illegal?
Now you’ve got it, a criminal cannot operate. Friends and neighbors, this reporting is just about the only thing that works to eliminate crime, as long as you are relentless. That is NEVER EVER GIVE UP, just keep calling, and calling, and calling, and calling.
This is our Neighborhood, and we have no intention of just handing it over to criminals without a real fight. It doesn’t help to move because crime is on the rise everywhere. Where can you move to?
Mr. Criminal, this is not BURGER KING and you DO NOT HAVE IT YOUR WAY!
Go to the Patchogue Village Board Meeting:
Individuals are encouraged to attend the Bi-monthly Patchogue Village Board Meetings; in order to air their concerns to our elected officials. Look at the Patchogue Village Web Site, for dates and times.
http://patchoguevillage.org/calendar.htm
If you choose to speak at one of these meetings, be sure to identify yourself as a member of the Maple Avenue Neighborhood Watch.
Emergency!
Such as:
Burglary, Robbery, Rape, fight, Auto Accident, Prostitution, Gang Activity, Assault, Arson, Medical Emergency.Dial 911
Non-emergency Police Matters
Dial the Fifth Precinct Desk 854 8500SCPD.5THPRECINCT@suffolkcountyny.gov
CODE VIOLATIONRelated to:
Health, unkempt houses, over-occupancy, or graffiti
Call the Housing Department 631 475 8942
Code Violations:
Such as:
Drinking Alcoholic Beverages in the street, or loud party
Call the Patchogue Village Constabulary 475 1225
