Neighborhood Watch

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Sheriff, Rank, Fire & CHP Seals

Sheriff, Rank, Fire & CHP Seals

Sheriff, Rank, Fire & CHP Seals

Neighborhood Watch programs are the most effective means available for keeping crime out of neighborhoods. Neighbors working together with the MHCSD COMMUNITY PRESERVATION OFFICER are a formidable crime-fighting team. Be a good neighbor and make your community safer by starting a Neighborhood Watch Program.

What is neighborhood watch?

Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program enlisting the active participation of residents in cooperation with the MHCSD COMMUNITY PRESERVATION OFFICER to reduce the incidence and fear of crime in their communities. It involves neighbors getting to know each other to develop a program of mutual assistance. It involves neighbors being educated in crime reporting and suspect identification techniques. Finally, it involves neighbors using crime prevention strategies as tools to reduce crime in their communities.

The key to keeping a Neighborhood Watch group active is maintaining interest over time. By getting everyone involved, you will create a feeling of pride and the atmosphere of a small town, even if you live in a large city. Neighborhood Watch can easily be adapted to meet your needs, wherever you live or work.

Active Neighborhood Watch groups can make changes through their local officials, such as improving street lighting, increasing extra patrol, and changing traffic flow patterns. Active apartment or multi-family dwelling groups can make changes by working closely with their landlords or building managers. They can work together to improve the lighting and security of individual units as well as communal areas and develop new policies or practices to improve building or property security.

How do I start a Neighborhood Watch Program?

The MHCSD COMMUNITY PRESERVATION OFFICER will assist in starting a program in your neighborhood. An MHCSD COMMUNITY PRESERVATION OFFICER will be available for your first meeting to assist with the initial organization of the Neighborhood Watch Program and discuss crime concerns specific to your neighborhood or community.

Mountain House CSD McGruff the Crime Dog
251 E. Main Street
Mountain House, CA 95391
Phone (209) 831-2300

MHCSD Community Preservation Officer
Roger Alvarez
ralvarez@sjgov.org

Make belonging to your Neighborhood Watch group enjoyable. People will get involved and remain interested if the programs are fun as well as meaningful. Use your imagination. Schedule potluck dinners, organize clean-up campaigns, or hold block parties. The possibilities are endless when neighbors unite and work together.

McGruff Take a bite out of crime Neighborhood-Watch Eye

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Crime Prevention Tips

See Something, Say Something

Always be aware of your surroundings. Recognize what is normal for your neighborhood and what is not, and report any suspicious activity immediately to the Sheriff’s Department by calling 9-1-1 or (209) 468-4400.

Be on the lookout for unidentified persons or vehicles on your street. Note the time of day, along with descriptors of what you observe. Be willing to take pictures of things you find out of the ordinary.

Prevent Vehicle Burglaries

Take steps today to prevent thefts from your vehicle. Residents are strongly encouraged to use “Lock It or Lose It” prevention tips every day. It only takes a matter of seconds for a thief to break into your car and grab your valuable items.

Look through the windows of your vehicle. What do you see? A bag on the passenger seat? A charging cord? A garage door opener? Change in a cup holder? Take it with you or remove it from plain view and be sure to close all windows and lock doors.

Follow these tips to help prevent vehicle burglaries:

Remove all valuable items from your car including purses and electronics.
If you must leave valuables behind, put them in your trunk or locked glovebox before you reach your destination. Avoid doing so while in plain view.
Park in a locked garage or in well-lit areas.

Protect Your Home

There are simple steps to take to help secure your home and deter residential burglaries:

When at home or away, keep all doors locked and windows secured with security latches.
Secure side gates and backyard access with padlocks at all times.
Request identification from any stranger that comes to your door, including utility workers, and verify before they enter your home.
Keep valuables out of sight, preferably secured in locked cabinets or safes.
Use motion-sensor activated lighting to secure the perimeter of your property.
Utilize home alarms, guard animals, signage, and trimmed landscaping to create sufficient protections for your property.

Practice a 9PM Routine

Every night at 9:00PM, the community is encouraged to lock up property, turn on lights, and bring in valuables to reduce the likelihood of falling victim to property crimes.

Lock all doors and windows, including garage doors, turn on lights or set them on a timer if you plan to be away, and avoid leaving valuables in visible areas. These actions help deter burglars and may help prevent residential burglaries.

Vacation Security Tips

While planning and going on a vacation, consider these tips to help enhance your safety, and secure the safety of your property:

Avoid posting about your vacation on social media – doing so may alert thieves that your home is vacant.
Have friends or neighbors clear your newspapers and mail if you leave town, or temporarily suspend deliveries.
Set lights on a timer so your home looks occupied.
When on vacation, know the locations of local law enforcement stations and phone numbers.
Agree on a rendezvous point with members of your party in the event you get separated.
Share your itinerary with friends and family.

Protect Yourself and Your Family

Consider the following tips to help protect yourself and your family:

Keep personal valuables in check – purses, phones, wallets, and keys should be tucked away and secured.
Be cautious of the information you post on social media – consider who the information may now be available to.
Do not place “family descriptor” stickers on your family vehicles – perpetrators can use the decals to identify people in your household, sometimes even by age, gender, and names.
Do not engage with criminals. If you find yourself a victim of a crime, do not chase down the suspects. Get a description and a license plate and call the Sheriff’s at 9-1-1 or (209) 468-4400.

10 Days of Holiday Safety

Introducing the 10 Days of Holiday Safety! Share these simple tips with friends and neighbors - protecting your home and community is a shared responsibility.

The MHCSD wishes you and your loved ones a safe and happy holiday season!

Day 1: Practice Your 9PM Routine

Every night at 9pm, the community is encouraged to lock all gates and doors including side gates and garage doors, turn on exterior lights or set them on a timer if you plan to be away, and remove all valuables from plain view.

Day 2: See Something, Say Something!

Be aware of your surroundings. If you see something suspicious, call the Sheriff at (209) 468-4400.

Day 3: Prevent Package Theft

Arrange for delivery alerts and retrieve your packages as soon as they are delivered. If you cannot retrieve your package, ask a neighbor to bring it in for you, or have the package shipped to the store.

Day 4: Safe Shopping

When shopping in a store, make sure your purse or wallet is secured on your person. Never leave purchased items unattended.

If shopping online, make sure you are using a trusted site and be wary of providing your personal information.

Day 5: Secure Your Vehicle

Always lock all vehicle doors and close all windows. Remove packages, valuables, and garage openers from sight. If you must leave a valuable behind, lock it in your trunk or glovebox before reaching your destination. Avoid parking in isolated and unlit areas.

Day 6: Secure Your Home

Lock all windows and doors when sleeping or when leaving your home. Use a timer for your lights so your house looks occupied. Avoid displaying valuables in windows.

Ask to see identification from anyone who comes to your door.

Utilize home alarms, guard animals, signage, security systems, and trimmed landscaping to create sufficient protections for your property.

Day 7: Join Your Neighborhood Watch!

Neighborhood Watch is a volunteer-based, resident-run program that encourages neighbors looking out for neighbors to reduce crime.

For more information or to join, email Roger Alvarez Community Preservation Officer ralvarez@sjgov.org

Day 8: Protect Your Family

Be cautious of the information you post on social media – consider who the information may now be available to.

Do not place “family descriptor” stickers on your family vehicles – perpetrators can use the decals to identify people in your household, sometimes even by age, gender, and names.

Be extra careful with purses and wallets. Carry a purse under your arm. Keep a wallet in an inside jacket pocket, not a back trouser pocket. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Do not leave purses or wallets unattended. Be aware when leaving malls or restaurants that you are not being followed.

Do not engage with criminals. If you find yourself a victim of a crime, do not chase down the suspects. Get a description and a license plate and call the Sheriff at 9-1-1 or (209) 468-4400.

Day 9: Deter Holiday Thieves

Avoid displaying gifts and valuables in windows. Break down gift boxes and place them in dark trash bags to avoid advertising holiday gifts on trash day.

Day 10: Travel Safety

Be mindful of sharing holiday travel plans online. Sharing vacation details can alert criminals when you are not home. Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your home and collect any packages and mail.

Auto Burglary & Theft

Burglary Prevention

Burglary Prevention Tips

A familiar refrain to prevent residential burglaries is See Something, Say Something. If you see something suspicious, you should contact the Sheriff’s Department at 209-468-4400 or 9-1-1 in an emergency. But how do you know if something is suspicious?

Know your neighborhood and know what is out of place. Burglars may not fit a profile – they could be driving an unmarked van or a luxury car. Make a note of any unidentified vehicles on your street and record what you observe, such as color, make, model, and license plate number. Report this information to the Sheriff’s Department.

Potential burglars may appear to be a sales representative or a utility worker and they may knock on doors to see if anyone is home. Make a note of their location and physical description and report this information to the Sheriff’s Department.

Other potentially suspicious activities include:

Someone walking down the street looking into multiple vehicles and/or trying door handles to see if the door will open.
Someone taking a package from someone else’s property.
A stranger walking around your neighbor’s home and looking into windows or trying to gain access by forcing open a window or door.
A person knocking on your door and asking to speak with someone who does not live there.
Someone claiming to represent a utility company who is either not wearing a uniform, does not produce identification upon request, or does not have a company vehicle. Or someone claiming to be a salesperson who does not produce identification like a peddlers permit.
A vehicle you do not recognize that is circling multiple times around the neighborhood.
Feeling you are being followed when walking home or to a neighbor’s home, even if you cross the street and back again and the person crosses along with you.

Prevention Tips

Make your home look occupied and make it difficult to break in. Lock all doors and windows and turn on exterior lights or set them on a timer if you will be away.
Make sure your garage door and side gates are closed and locked.
Cancel deliveries while you are on vacation or ask a friend or neighbor to take them in regularly. Avoid leaving mail or packages outside for an extended period of time.
Lawn mowers, barbecues and bicycles are best stored out of sight.
Never leave notes on your door such as “Gone shopping.”
Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen. When moving into a new home, have all locks changed. Ask a locksmith for advice on the best locks for your situation.
Have adequate exterior lighting and trim trees and shrubs so they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.
Use a dowel or pin to enhance window security.
An alarm system is excellent for home security. If you have an alarm system, make sure you activate it.
Never leave keys under doormats or other “secret” hiding places – burglars know where to look for hidden keys. Instead, give spare keys to a trusted neighbor.
Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase and original value, and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from your home – this is also a good precaution in the event of a fire or other disaster.
Join Neighborhood Watch and work with your neighbors to report suspicious activity.

How to Report a Burglary

If you find an unexplained open/broken window or door, do not enter – the perpetrator may still be inside. Call the Sheriff’s Department at 209-468-4400 or 9-1-1. Be prepared to give your specific location and share any details that are out of place.

If you notice suspicious activity, make a note of any descriptors and report it to the Sheriff's Department first at 209-468-4400. After you have reported your concerns, share the information with your neighbors so they are aware of the suspicious activity too. Social media sites like Nextdoor and networks like the Neighborhood Watch are very valuable for sharing this kind of information. Be aware that the Sheriff's Department does not regularly monitor social media sites like Nextdoor – report your concerns directly to the Sheriff's Department so it has a timely record of all necessary information.

Crime Prevention Starts with You

CRIME PREVENTION STARTS WITH YOU

The men and women of Mountain House are working hard to combat crime in your area, but it's a team effort that requires help from the community. There are a number of steps you can take immediately to harden the target and let the criminals know they are not tolerated in our community.

SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING

First and foremost, it's important to be aware of your surroundings. Recognize what is normal in your neighborhood and what is not, and to report any suspicious activity immediately to the Sheriff's Department by calling 9-1-1 or (209) 468-4400.

Protect Your Neighborhood:

Get to know your neighbors!
Join or become more active in your local Neighborhood Watch Program.
Be on the lookout for unidentified persons or vehicles on your street. Note the time of day, along with descriptors of what you observe - e.g. color, make, model, and license plates of vehicles, height, weight, age, clothing, and ethnicity of strangers.
Have the Sheriff's Department Contact Number at hand, or on your cell phone, and be ready to call.
Keep ears and eyes open for unusual sounds or activities at your neighbors' homes.
Be willing to take pictures of things you find out of the ordinary - your vigilance may provide crucial evidence in apprehending criminal activity.
Do not be afraid to bother the deputies or security officers, they are depending on you to call!

CREATE A STRONG DEFENSE

Protect Your Home:

Have friends or neighbors clear your newspapers and mail if you leave town. The Sheriff's Department have a STARS unity that offers vacation checks when you're away for an extended period.
When at home or away, keep all doors locked and windows secured with security latches.
Secure side gates and backyard access with padlocks at all times.
Request identification from any stranger that comes to your door, including utility workers, and verify BEFORE they enter your home!
NEVER let strangers into your home!
Monitor workers in your yard or in your home.
Keep valuables out of sight, preferably secured in locked cabinets or safes.
Use motion-sensor activated lighting to secure the perimeter of your property.
Utilize home alarms, guard animals, signage, and trimmed landscaping to create sufficient protections for your property.

Protect Your Vehicle:

NEVER leave your car doors unlocked, and never leave any items of value inside your car.
Park in locked garages if at all possible. Do not leave garage remotes in vehicles.

Protect Yourself and Your Family:

Keep personal valuables in check- purses, phones, wallets, and keys should be tucked away and secured.
Do not engage with criminals - if you find yourself a victim of crime, do not chase down the suspects. Get a description and license plate, and call the Sheriff's Department.
Do not post vacation plans on social media sites.
Do not place "family descriptor" stickers on your family vehicles - perpetrators can use the decals to identify the people in your household, sometimes even by age, gender, and names.
Remind friends and visitors of these safety best practices when they come over.

REFUSE TO BE A VICTIM!
Together, we can prevent crime.

Recognize a Scam

How to Recognize and Avoid a Scam

Scammers are always coming up with new ways to steal your money or personal information. Always investigate fully before giving your money to a stranger or even someone claiming to be a family relative.

Scammers may pretend to be from an organization you know, like the IRS or Medicare. They may be able to change the phone number that appears on your caller ID so it looks real, or they may use a real-looking logo in an email.

Always verify you are speaking to a legitimate organization.

Legitimate organizations won’t call, email or text to ask for your personal information like your social security, bank account, or credit card numbers.
Even if you get an email or a text message you think is real, avoid clicking on any links. Instead, contact the sender using a website you know is trustworthy, or look up the number on an official website. Do not call a number they give you in a voicemail or the number from your caller ID.

Scammers try to reel victims in with a problem or a prize. They may say you’re in trouble with a government agency, or you owe money, or that someone in your family had an emergency and they need you to verify some information. They may say you have won money in a lottery or sweepstakes, but you have to pay a fee to get it. They will likely pressure you to act immediately, telling you not to hang up so you can’t check out their story. They may threaten to arrest you, sue you, take away your driver’s license, or say your computer is about to be corrupted.

Resist the pressure to act immediately.

Legitimate businesses will give you time to make a decision.
Anyone who pressures you to pay or give them your personal information is a scammer.
Ask for a supervisor’s name and call back number. Chances are a scammer won’t want to provide you with that information. If they can’t give you a local number or address, hang up.

Scammers tell you to pay in a specific way. They may insist that you pay by sending money through a money transfer company or by putting money on a gift card and then giving them the number on the back.

Never pay someone who insists you pay with a gift card or by using a money transfer service. Never deposit a check and send money back to someone.

Stop and talk to someone you trust.

Before you do anything else, tell someone – a friend, a family member, a neighbor – what happened. Talking about it could help you realize it’s a scam.

If you were scammed or think you recognized a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission.

Always be cautious when you are asked for personal information, whether it be by phone, email, or in person. Never provide personal information when you did not initiate the conversation. A good rule of thumb is to ask what the information is needed for, and if you can opt-out from providing that information.

Common Scams

Here are some examples of common scams:

Dating and Romance – You meet someone online and you have a great rapport. You provide personal details getting to know them better and then they ask for money to help cover costs associated with illness, injury, travel or a family crisis. Never send money or gifts to a person you haven’t met in person. If you suspect a scam, stop communicating with the person immediately. Do a reverse image search of the person’s profile picture to see if it’s associated with another name or with details that don’t add up.

Grandma I’m in Jail – You get a phone call from someone saying, “This is your grandson, I’m traveling, and I’ve been arrested. Help, I need $500 for bail. Go to Walmart and send the money to the following….” Don’t panic. First, ask questions to determine if it really is your grandchild. If they called you “Grandma” don’t say “Is this Michael?” Ask, “Who is this?” Ask him the name of his parents. Check with your son or daughter to find out if your grandchild is even traveling. Ask where the child is being held and confirm the location exists.

You’ve Won - If someone calls and says you’ve won a prize or a lottery, and all you need to do is pay the taxes or shipping and handling, don’t believe it. You shouldn’t have to pay money to receive something you’ve legitimately won. Ask for details in writing and check it out carefully. Never give out your credit card or financial information to strangers who call you.

Computer Scan Alert - You get a pop-up on your computer that looks like it might be from your operating system or antivirus software saying suspicious activity has been detected and to call a live technician now. Do not call the phone number. Real security warnings will never ask you to call a phone number. Do not click on any links in the pop-up or browser window. Instead, hit Control + Alt + Delete (Command + Option/Alt + Esc on a Mac) to view a list of programs currently running and delete the pop-up alert from the list of running programs.

Additional Information

If you are the victim of a scam or believe you saw a scam attempt, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at ReportFraud.ftc.gov or call 877-382-4357.

For additional information, visit the following pages:

California Office of the Attorney General: Common Scams
Federal Trade Commission: How to Avoid a Scam
USA.gov: Common Scams and Frauds

Crime Prevention Resources

Along with the San Joaquin Sheriff Department, there are many organizations and businesses that provide vital crime prevention information.

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) - Federal agency to protect consumers from unfair business practices and fraud. Good place to learn scam prevention and they maintain the Do Not Call Registry.
National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) - Provide materials on almost every crime prevention topic.
National Neighborhood Watch (NNW) - Information on starting a Neighborhood Watch in your neighborhood.
National Night Out (NATW) - Register your National Night Out event.
Safe Kids Worldwide - Everything you need on child safety, from choking hazards and safety seats to bike riding and special needs.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) - All traffic-related safety information. Good for vehicle theft prevention, distracted driving and all other driving-related concerns.
National Bike Registry - Bike theft prevention and registry.
Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) - Partnership between the FBI and National White Collar Crime Center to accept/investigate internet crime
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) - Source for information on human trafficking, cybercrime and terrorism
SJReady.org - For all things disaster. Prepare with readiness checklists, kits and plans.

San Joaquin Sheriff's Office Quick Links

CHP - Tracy

Find a CHP Office: https://www.chp.ca.gov/Find-an-Office/Valley-Division/Offices/(266)-Tracy

CHP Program Services: https://www.chp.ca.gov/programs-services

Bike and Pedestrian Safety: https://www.chp.ca.gov/programs-services/services-information/bike-and-ped-safety

Child Safety Seats: https://www.chp.ca.gov/Programs-Services/Programs/Child-Safety-Seats

Roadside Emergency Kit: https://www.chp.ca.gov/Programs-Services/Services-Information/Roadside-Emergency-Kit

City of Mountain House

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