There are many things that Mountain View citizens and business owners can do to reduce the chances of becoming a victim. Comprehensive crime prevention that coordinates strategies and policies (addressing causes as well as occurrences of crime) are vital to long-term success.
How can I help?
Mountain View's Neighborhood Watch and Business Watch provide more eyes on the street, as well as a forum for information exchange about crime prevention. These watches are a highly efficient way to identify and discuss neighborhood problems. They're also a great way to build a sense of neighborhood camaraderie.
Be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious activities to the police. Educate yourself on the best ways to protect your property, identity, and person from crime. Talk to your children about crime prevention and personal safety. Implement basic safety measures—locks, concealment of valuables, destruction of financial documents, personal awareness, asking someone to walk with you at night, and getting to know the people who spend time with your children. Each of these is a minor effort in service of preventing a major problem or crime. Take a little time to develop a crime-resistant lifestyle.
In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the need for strengthening and securing our communities has become even more critical, and neighborhood watch groups have taken on greater significance. In addition to serving a crime prevention role, neighborhood watch groups can also be used as the basis for bringing residents together to focus on disaster preparedness, as well as terrorism awareness; to focus on evacuation drills and exercises; and even to organize group training, such as the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) training.
You can also support non-profit community organizations whose efforts directly or indirectly help prevent crime. Organizations that provide counseling, mediation, food, housing, education and other services are essential to the well being of our community. Support these organizations with your time or donations.
MVPD's Crime Prevention Programs
It's unfortunate that we can't measure how much crime we prevent. Everyone at the police department works in crime prevention activities. Officers enforce laws regarding weapons, drugs and public drunkenness to remove problems before crimes occur. We investigate and monitor gangs and their activities. We refer disputing parties to mediation resources. The department utilizes statistical analyses and undercover operations to determine the extent of criminal activities. Multi-agency and mixed-jurisdiction task forces examine problem areas and develop results-oriented campaigns. We also develop literature, seminars, educational programs and services, for community members, business and children, designed to reduce all types of crime in Mountain View.
Crime Prevention Services
The police department offers free security inspections for your home or business. Our alarm program charges fees for false alarms, which allows us to respond to all alarm calls. This increases the likelihood that we can catch a burglar in the act at homes or businesses.
We lend property engravers so you can engrave identifying numbers on your belongings. This reduces their value to thieves, as well as improving the prospects for arrest, conviction and return of property. We offer free gun locks, to prevent weapons misuse.
Crime Prevention for Children
Every public and private school in Mountain View has an assigned School Resource Officer (SRO), who provides educational programs in the school, interacts with children on campus, and serves as a focal point for safety issues in and around the school. Just getting to know the kids allows officers to learn about potential problems, and offer support and guidance. A positive relationship with an officer also makes some kids think twice about breaking the law. MVPD also presents the DARE program annually to 3rd, 5th and 7th grade students. It's designed to discourage them from using drugs and alcohol, and to provide the skills to resist peer pressure.
MVPD offers a youth-outreach program called Dreams & Futures for children who appear to be at risk of using drugs or joining gangs. It's a two-week summer day camp. Besides being a lot of fun, it teaches teamwork and self-esteem. Read about other department programs for children.
Crime Prevention Information
From beat cops giving tips on personal safety to seminars on identity theft, the department offers a wealth of crime prevention information. Brochures are available online, in PDF form. Our speakers' bureau features talks on topics like auto theft prevention, personal safety for seniors, and theft prevention for business. Check our events calendar to find out about short seminars and other informational events.
A ride-along is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn about policing Mountain View. We also host Q&A tables at various community events, and FAQs online. Last, but not least, call or email us and ask.
From personal safety tips to free security inspections, we want to help you protect yourself, your family, your business and your property.
Crime Prevention Tips
Most criminals are looking for easy targets. Why volunteer yourself, or your property, when you can often avoid crime by changing your safety habits. Many of our Web pages feature crime prevention tips. Here are a few easy ones to get you started:
- Lock your vehicle and place all valuables out of sight
- At night, park in well-lit areas and walk with a partner
- Never leave your car running, even for a minute.
- Lock your windows when you're not home.
- Don't carry your social security card/number in your wallet.
- Don't open your door to strangers.
- Notify your neighbors when you go on vacation.
State Crime Prevention Programs
Visit California's Safe State site for information about state-wide crime prevention.
