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| About | Council | Departments | Notice Board | Calendar | Get Involved | ||
TAKOMA PARK POLICE DEPARTMENT CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAMS
Residential Security Survey Program
Commercial Security Survey Program
How to receive Crime Alerts and Crime Blotter Information
Other Community Oriented Policing Programs of the TPPD
Residential Security Survey Program
A residential Security Survey is an inspection of your home, performed by a police officer, in an effort to identify areas in which you could improve the physical security of your residence. It is also a good opportunity to review personal safety and security habits with an officer so that your daily routines incorporate habits to decrease the likelihood that you might be victimized by crime. Many security features may be discussed, ranging in cost from simply trimming shrubbery appropriately, to the pros and cons of security alarm systems. The surveys are offered to homeowners living in the City of Takoma Park, free of charge, by appointment only. They generally take about an hour of your time, and can be scheduled during evening hours if you prefer. To schedule a security survey, please contact the C.O.P. team, and they will call you back to schedule the appointment.
Several neighborhoods in Takoma Park have formed Citizen Patrols in order to better address concerns about crime in their areas. Usually, during their patrols, groups of citizens from the neighborhood walk their streets wearing highly visible orange vests. The groups are supplied by the police department with a cellular phone and a flashlight. They are expected to be vigilant for suspicious activity and to report it immediately to the police. Additionally, they look for conditions in their neighborhood that might contribute to criminal activity and inform their beat officers about these problems so that appropriate action can be taken to hopefully prevent crimes before they occur. Current Citizen Patrols include:
Westmoreland Avenue Citizens Patrol
Cedar Avenue Patrol
Willow Avenue Patrol
North Takoma Patrol
Sligo- Longbranch Citizens Patrol
Circle Woods Citizens Patrol
B.F. Gilbert's Community Patrol
SOSCA Community Patrol
These groups are always looking for more volunteers to help out. The usual commitment is one or two nights a month. It is an excellent way to get to know your neighbors, and spread a strong sense of community, which is a powerful crime deterrent. If you would like to get more information about joining one of these groups, or about starting a patrol on your street, please call The C.O.P. team.
If you are planning on going on a vacation, and nobody will be staying at your house, you are eligible to request a vacant house check on your home. In this program, a Takoma Park Police Officer will visit your home once a day during your absence and inspect the premises for any signs of suspicious activity. To take advantage of this program, call the Police Dispatcher at 301-270-1100 , and request a vacant house check registration. They will need information such as the duration of your absence, vehicles parked in the driveway, emergency notification information, etc.
If your group would like to request a presentation on personal safety, or any other topic of concern relating to crime prevention or police services, please contact either your appropriate beat officer as listed on this web page. Presentations have been done in the past on Personal Safety, Auto Theft Prevention, Burglary Prevention, Robbery Prevention, Gangs, Drug Abuse Prevention, Senior Citizen Issues, and other topics. Lt. Richard Bowers has also produced a short video on personal safety issues for use in group discussions.
Commercial Security Survey Program
Area businesses face a variety of specialized concerns regarding the safety of their employees, protection of property, well-being of their customers, and protection from crimes such as check fraud and credit card offenses. Several officers on the Takoma Park Police Department have advanced training in Commercial Security procedures and can offer detailed, in-depth security surveys for individual businesses, located in the City of Takoma Park. The service is provided free of charge. Topics covered can include Robbery Prevention, Burglary Prevention, Shoplifting, Counterfeit Money, Employee Theft Prevention Techniques, Check and Credit Card Fraud, and others. Contact the C.O.P. team.
How to receive Crime Alerts and Crime Blotter information
The Takoma Park Police distribute a weekly Crime Blotter of major crimes or other incidents of concerns to numerous media sources, citizens associations, business groups, and other concerned parties in the area. Copies of this blotter are available to the public for pick-up in the lobby of the Takoma Park Police Station, 7500 Maple Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland 20912. The Blotter is posted weekly on the Police Bulletins of the page, along with other information and crime alerts.
By subscribing to the blog lines (lower left corner) you will be advised of any updates.
Bicycle registration stickers are available free of charge to City of Takoma Park residents. Please contact the Takoma Park Police Department Administrative Services Division, Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, by walk-in service at the lobby of the station, 7500 Maple Avenue. Many bicycles are stolen and recovered daily in the Washington Metropolitan Area, and registering your bicycle greatly improves chances of recovering your bicycle should it become stolen. A national paid bike registration is available.
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