 |
|
|
| |
|
As many residents have seen the signs and uniformed officers patrolling the neighborhood, the North Woodland Hills contracted for an Advanced Crime Watch and Patrol Program (the ”Program”) utilizing off duty police officers. The Program is run by Kingwood residents that have a deep knowledge and experience in law enforcement and staffed by officers familiar with this area.
One of the primary goals of the Program is to have a very visible police / security presence. This is accomplished by monitoring high traffic areas, posting signs at entrances to the subdivision, and patrolling through key areas in a marked vehicle. This presence discourages criminals from operating in our neighborhood because it is not an easy target.
Additionally, the Program encourages interaction between the officers and the residents. One of the Program supervisors attends the monthly HOA board meeting and provides an oral report on the incidents of the previous month and follows up on any neighborhood issues brought to the HOA board’s attention. Also, our monitored web site allows residents to report crimes, inform the officers of suspicious activity, or let the officers know a resident will be on vacation so the address will be flagged for officers during their patrols. A report filed on the web site is typically followed up by a Program representative in person or a phone call to ensure that the resident and law enforcement are coordinated in remedying an issue.
FAQ’s – ADVANCED CRIME WATCH AND PATROL PROGRAM
- WHO DO I CALL WHEN I NEED THE POLICE? You will call the Houston Police at 713-884-3131.
- DO THE OFF DUTY OFFICERS HAVE THE POWER TO MAKE ARRESTS AND WRITE TICKETS? Yes. Under State Law there is no difference in duties between an Off Duty Officer and an On Duty Officer, if he is performing his duties as a Peace Officer and is in his Police uniform or has identified himself as a Police Officer if he is in civilian clothing.
- HOW DO I CONTACT THESE OFF DUTY OFFICERS WORKING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD? You can go to the North Woodland Hills web site where a “crime report” form is located. Fill this out completely and send it. The coordinating Officer along with a Board Member will each receive the report. There is also a field on the form to upload a picture, if you have one. All reports are kept confidential. They may be released to Law Enforcement as needed.
- HOW MANY DAYS A WEEK ARE THE OFFICERS PATROLLING OUR NEIGHBORHOOD? The Officers are in the neighborhood 36 – 40 hours a week, working various schedules. We do not publicize the hours that the Officers work.
- WHO ARE THESE OFF DUTY OFFICERS? These Officers are a combination of Harris County Sheriffs Deputies and Houston Police Department Officers. They work and live in the Kingwood, Atascocita area and are very familiar with the crime problems that exist in this area.
- IF I HAVE AN EMERGENCY AND NEED THE POLICE RIGHT AWAY, DO I CALL THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE OR 911? For all emergency calls, this includes life and death situations or in progress activity, you will call 911. Everything else you will call Harris County Sheriff’s Office at 713-221-6000.
In summary, the HOA board has found the Program to be highly successful. The Program is flexible, responsive, and an efficient use of our residents money. We know through crime statistics of North Woodland Hills versus surrounding subdivisions that our security program is effective. And we know from the overwhelmingly positive responses we have received from residents that the neighborhood approves of the Program is doing.
Please click here for some crime prevention tips from the Houston Police Department.
|
|
|
