DOWNEY – The Downey Police Department has unveiled newly-designed neighborhood watch signs, a modernized design that promotes the police department’s partnership with the community. The new signs will be distributed at neighborhood watch meetings. A neighborhood watch group on Pruess Avenue received the first batch of signs last week.

Downey currently has 155 active neighborhood watch groups. New groups are required to conduct a series of three meetings highlighting the program’s three core principles.

The first meeting introduces residents to the program and includes a visit from a police officer and council member. Residents are encouraged to meet their neighbors and are given a chance to express their neighborhood concerns.

During the second meeting, members receive instruction on how to enhance their observation skills and when to report suspicious activity to police.

In the third meeting, Downey’s Community Response Team and Emergency Preparedness Committee introduce residents to the fundamentals of emergency preparedness and disaster preparedness.

Once the three core principle meetings are completed, groups are encouraged to continue holding meetings where residents discuss their concerns and request guest speakers.

For more information about Downey’s neighborhood watch program, call coordinator Jennifer Burkhardt at (562) 904-2374 or email jpreda@downeyca.org.

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Published: Oct. 30, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 29