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Applicable To: Zone commanders, Community Services, Crime Analysis, and Central Records employees |
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Approval Authority: Chief George N. Turner |
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Signature: Signed by GNT |
Date Signed: 12/3/10 |
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| Table of Contents | |||
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4.1 The Crime Prevention Unit Commander shall: 4.2 The Crime Prevention Inspector, Senior shall: |
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To establish procedures and responsibilities for the Crime Prevention Unit (CPU).
The Atlanta Police Department is committed to mobilizing citizen involvement in crime prevention through the implementation of community crime prevention programs. Security inspection, surveys, and crime analysis data shall be used to target specific areas in the City for crime reduction through crime prevention programs and activities.
3.1 The Community Oriented Policing Section (COPS) commander shall monitor the implementation of this directive. He or she shall be responsible for the final evaluation of the findings of citizen opinion surveys conducted at least quarterly and shall submit recommendations to the Chief of Police.
3.2 The Crime Prevention Unit is the coordinator and principal provider of community crime prevention programs and, with the Community Liasion Unit and zone patrol officers, shall serve as the liaison with community groups, social organizations, business groups, civic organizations, public and private schools, and other organized groups. The Crime Prevention Unit shall assist in establishing community groups where such groups do not exist through the security inspection, neighborhood watch, and other programs. While all employees within the Department are responsible for achieving crime prevention objectives, the primary responsibility for crime prevention programs shall rest with the Crime Prevention Unit. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 45.1.2)
3.3 The Crime Prevention Unit Commander is responsible for the implementation of this directive; for daily supervision of the activities and operations of the employees assigned to the Unit; and for liaison between the Crime Prevention Unit’s crime prevention programs and the patrol zones. The Commander reports directly to the Community Oriented Policing Section Major.
3.4 Crime Prevention Inspectors Sr. shall supervise Inspectors on special projects when directed and provide written reports of the details.
3.5 Crime Prevention Inspectors are responsible for Neighborhood and Business Watch programs, as well as crime prevention efforts within their assigned beats or zones.
3.6 The Tactical Crime Analysis Unit shall be responsible for providing statistical crime data of areas with high incidents of criminal activities to the Community Services Unit.
3.7 The Central Records Unit shall provide the Community Services Unit with a copy of all residential and commercial burglaries daily.
3.8 Zone commanders shall actively involve Crime Prevention Inspectors in their community involvement and crime prevention efforts and shall support the work of the Community Services Unit.
3.9 Police officers are responsible for promoting crime prevention measures and working with the community while actively soliciting citizen’s involvement in identifying crimes affecting the community’s quality of life.
3.10 All employees are responsible for promoting community involvement in crime prevention activities. Any Department employee who participates in and/or conducts a community relations/crime prevention program shall complete a memorandum outlining the program, their participation, and the objectives accomplished. This shall be forwarded through the chain of command to the COPS Major. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 45.2.3)
4.1 The Crime Prevention Unit Commander shall:
1. Analyzed by crime type and geographic area and that crime prevention programs are appropriately targeted. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 45.1.1 a, b)
2 Formulated and implemented to address hot spots and problem crime areas; (CALEA 5th ed. standard 45.2.2c)
3. Informed of current crime trends and statistics, ongoing plans and efforts by the Department to deter crime, and all items relevant to crime prevention within their assigned areas;
4. Forward Information concerning crime prevention tips, activities, and programs are forwarded to Public Affairs for dissemination to the public; (CALEA 5th ed. standard 45.2.1b)
5. Developed and maintained on requests for crime prevention services, Neighborhood and Business Watch programs, as well as CPU-related activities addressing community involvement with the Atlanta Police Department; (CALEA 5th ed. standard 45.2.3)
6. Monitor input from citizens and APD employees to identify the crime prevention training needs of CRU employees and APD employees generally. Assist the Training Unit to provide appropriate training for CRU employees and police officers on an annual basis.
7. Provide the Crime Prevention Inspectors with information on Department objectives, problems and successes for presentation at NPU’s and other public meetings. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 45.2.1 c)
8. Assist the command staff in developing community involvement policies for the Department, including improving Department practices in police-community interaction. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 45.2.1 b)
4.2 The Crime Prevention Inspector, Senior shall:
1. Act as the liaison between CSD and the Department of Public Works to ensure that crime watch signs are properly erected. This requires reviewing submitted maps for accuracy and completeness and establishing a monitoring system for all neighborhood and commercial watch sign requests and removing signs from inactive watch areas.
2. Monitor the Neighborhood Watch program to ensure that each inspector maintains files and rules are followed for active/inactive status in accordance with this SOP. Additionally, the inspector shall maintain records for all Neighborhood Watch programs.
3. Provide current National Night Out information and coordinate a National Night Out Activity Calendar for the Unit.
4.3 Crime Prevention Inspectors shall:
1. Interact with beat officers and crime analysts, and serve as liaisons between the Department and the community to prevent crime; to facilitate the delivery of police services; and to help make the City of Atlanta safer. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 45.2.1a)
2. Encourage citizen participation in crime prevention by assisting neighborhoods and commercial establishments with organizing and maintaining active crime watch programs; coordinate and conduct crime watch meetings; meet with residential and commercial groups to discuss problems and offer solutions.
3. Consult with beat officers and investigators on the types of crimes occurring in an area, patterns, trends, and possible solutions, such as citing for housing code violations, to better develop prevention measures for citizens and training for officers.
4. Contact victims of burglaries within their assigned beats or areas to offer to conduct a security survey. The burglary follow-up shall be conducted within 10 working days of the burglary report. (This is separate from any follow-up conducted by CID). A log of each burglary report, including the status, shall be maintained. CPIs shall also conduct security surveys upon referral, canvassing or request.
5. Conduct crime prevention activities within their assigned beats or areas, assisted by the CPI II and CPU Commander to include personal safety workshops, community events, youth and senior citizens presentations/programs, Neighborhood and Business Watch programs and community education. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 45.1.1b)
6. Prepare daily activity sheets, weekly and monthly reports, forms for meetings attended and projected events, projects meetings, etc., Citizens Reporting Form for Crime, and other Community Services Forms. Convey information and concerns from citizens’ organizations to the CPU Commander. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 45.2.1 d)
7. Maintain permanent files on Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch programs, senior citizen data sheets, special events, National Night Out, Crime Prevention Month, and crime prevention literature for reference and follow-up.
8. All files, including Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch groups and senior citizen data sheets shall be organized by beat, in alphabetical order and secured by the crime prevention Inspector.
9. Attend Neighborhood Planning Unit meetings to address issues concerning crime in their neighborhood.
10. Assist zone commanders with the Citizen Advisory Councils (See APD.SOP.4030 “Citizen Advisory Councils”).
4.4 Neighborhood Watch Program (CALEA 5th ed. standard 45.1.2)
4.4.1 The purpose of the Neighborhood Watch Program is to organize and assist residential crime prevention groups, in order to reduce crime.
4.4.2 The Crime Prevention Inspector Sr. shall offer assistance in meetings and training of Neighborhood Watch groups.
4.4.3 Crime Prevention Inspectors are responsible for Neighborhood Watch Programs and crime prevention efforts within their assigned beats or zones to ensure they remain viable.
4.4.4 Crime Prevention Inspectors shall encourage citizen participation and assist residential groups with organizing and maintaining active Neighborhood Watch Programs.
4.4.5 When establishing a new Neighborhood Watch or re-establishing a non-active watch, the Crime Prevention Inspector shall direct the community resident to prepare and distribute announcements for citizens to participate in and attend the Watch meetings. When possible, the Crime Prevention Inspector shall assist a block captain/neighborhood liaison with organizing the neighborhood watch.
4.4.6 The Crime Prevention Inspector shall attend the meeting, and when possible, the beat officer should attend.
4.4.7 Crime Prevention Inspectors shall inform residents on how to accurately report suspicious persons, crimes, problems, and nuisances to police and other appropriate city agencies, along with steps they can take to protect their neighborhood.
4.4.8 Crime Prevention Inspectors shall encourage Neighborhood Watch participants to make a commitment, on behalf of each other’s safety and well being, toward the enhancement of quality of life and reduction of crime in the neighborhood. Citizens present at the meetings may be asked to actively recruit other individuals and families in their neighborhood to participate in Neighborhood Watch programs.
4.4.9 The block captain /neighborhood liaison shall maintain listings of all members of the Neighborhood Watch program to include names, phone numbers and addresses. The list shall be developed into a street directory.
4.4.10 Crime Prevention Inspectors shall provide the following information:
1. Crime statistics for the neighborhood;
2. Advice on various locking devices for windows and doors and other security measures;
3. How to request a personal safety seminar for children, women, and the elderly;
4. How to arrange for a free home security survey;
5. How to access other City services (sanitation, building inspectors, etc.) (CALEA 5th ed. standard 45.1.3);
6. How to access detailed crime information for their neighborhood.
4.4.11 Crime Prevention Inspectors shall maintain separate files for each Neighborhood Watch group. Each file shall include separate folders for: crime reports, surveys, correspondence, and information on special events, meetings, maps, and rosters.
4.4.12 In order for a Neighborhood Watch group to remain active and maintain the Neighborhood Watch sign, the watch group shall conduct a minimum of three crime prevention meetings per year, and maintain contact, on a regular basis, with the Crime Prevention Inspector through its block captain. Participation in Crime Prevention Month or National Night out, along with additional neighborhood participation criteria may be included, at the discretion of the Crime Prevention Unit Commander. Example: percentage of houses surveyed or percentage participating in operation identification.
4.4.13 When conducting security surveys and personal safety workshops, Crime Prevention Inspectors shall encourage citizens to participate in community crime prevention efforts, make referrals to other agencies as appropriate and follow up.
4.5 Business Watch Program (CALEA 5th ed. standard 45.1.2)
4.5.1 The purpose of the Business Watch Program is to organize and assist crime prevention groups in commercial areas.
4.5.2 The Crime Prevention Inspector Sr. shall offer assistance in meetings and training of Business Watch groups.
4.5.3 Crime Prevention Inspectors are responsible for Business Watch Programs and crime prevention efforts within their assigned beats or zones.
4.5.4 Crime Prevention Inspectors shall provide services and programs that shall attempt to prevent crime through education, physical security, and the control of environmental conditions. Business burglaries shall receive the highest priority for crime prevention efforts. Crime Prevention Inspectors shall:
1. Target the establishment of Business Watch programs in commercial areas where there is a high incidence of criminal activity;
2. Organize meetings of business owners and managers interested in starting a Business Watch program;
3. Maintain Business Watch programs to ensure they remain viable;
4. Conduct personal safety programs for employees of businesses, civic, social and professional groups;
5. Conduct security surveys of businesses which have reported a burglary or when requests are made.
4.6.1 The purpose of the Youth Program is to develop and implement initiatives to address safety issues involving youth.
4.6.2 The Crime Prevention Unit shall:
1. Work closely with the Police Athletic League and other units in coordinating juvenile and youth programs.
2. Provide speakers to schools, social and civic groups, and churches to discuss child safety, rape prevention, and other crime prevention topics.
4.7.1 The Crime Prevention Unit commander shall monitor community crime prevention programs to ensure that the needs of the community are continually met and if not being met, that the programs are modified or replaced. Quarterly, he or she shall prepare a report to the Chief of Police, Assistant Chief of Police, CSD, SSD, FOD, and zone commanders on at least the following:
1. A description of current concerns voiced by the community, including input from zone commanders and other employees
2. A description of potential problems that have a bearing on law enforcement activities within the community, including current crime problems cited by FOD and CID commanders.
3. A statement of recommended actions that address previously identified concerns and problems.
4. A statement of progress made on previously identified concerns or problems. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 45.2.2)
4.7.2 The Crime Prevention Unit Commander shall conduct an annual evaluation of the effectiveness of Neighborhood Watch, Business Watch, and other crime prevention programs. The report shall include recommendations for improving the Department’s crime prevention effort. Distribute copies to the Chief of Police, assistant chief, deputy chiefs, zone commanders, and the Planning and Research/Accreditation Unit. (CALEA 5th ed. standard 45.1.1 c)
4.7.3 The Crime Prevention Unit commander shall ensure that surveys of citizen opinions and attitudes are developed and distributed at least annually to gather information on:
1. The Department’s overall performance;
2. The overall competence of the Department’s employees;
3. Officers’ attitudes and behavior toward citizens;
4. The public’s concern over safety and security within the City;
5. Citizen concern over safety and security within their home and neighborhood; and
6. Citizens’ recommendations and suggestions for improvements in the services delivered by the Department (CALEA 5th ed. standard 45.1.1b & c; 45.2.4).
4.7.4 The Crime Prevention Unit commander shall distribute copies of the report on the citizen survey to the Chief of Police, Assistant Chief, division and zone commanders, and Planning and Research/Accreditation Unit.
4.7.5 The Crime Prevention Unit major shall keep these reports on file for three years.
5.1 Business Watch: An organization of businesses in a geographic area developed for cooperative crime control measures.
5.2 Citizen Advisory Councils: A mechanism for citizen involvement in the management of their municipal resources.
5.3 Neighborhood Watch: An organization of neighbors for mutual protection against criminal activity.
5.4 NPU: Neighborhood Planning Unit. A geographic area composed of one or more contiguous neighborhoods, which have been defined for the purpose of developing neighborhood plans. There are currently 24 NPU’s covering the City of Atlanta.
5.5 Security Surveys/Inspections: A critical on-site analysis of a residence or business to identify security deficiencies and to make recommendations for improvement.
APD.SOP.6140 “Community Services Section” that went into effect December 1, 2007
APD.SOP.4030 “Citizen’s Advisory Council” Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), Chapter 45 |
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