Riverside Police Department

Neighborhood Watch & Business Watch

Neighborhood Watch

Our nation is built on the strength of our citizens. Every day, we encounter situations calling upon us to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement. Not only does Neighborhood Watch allow citizens to help in the fight against crime, it is also an opportunity for communities to bond through service. The Riverside Police Department Neighborhood Watch Program draws upon the compassion of average citizens, asking them to lend their neighbors a hand.

Business Watch

Modeled after Neighborhood Watch, Business Watch takes the “neighbors looking out for neighbors” concept to the commercial level, creating a partnership between business, law enforcement, and other organizations that represent business interests. The Business Watch philosophy is straightforward—Take control of what happens in your business community and lessen your chances of becoming a victim.

Business Watches actively reduces and prevents crime through cooperation and education. Programs vary according to need; however, successful groups adhere to these fundamental steps:

• Promote communication and understanding between law enforcement and business.
• Encourage and enhance cooperation among merchants.
• Teach merchants to crime-proof their own properties, watch over neighboring businesses, and document and report suspicious activity.
• Develop a telephone tree and/or email distribution list to quickly disseminate information about area crime.
• Develop signals to activate in adjacent businesses when someone needs help.

How Can Your Neighborhood or Business Participate?

You can host a meeting and encourage others to participate.  

How Will Your Neighborhood or Business Benefit?

Neighborhood/Business Watch is a crime prevention tool.  We enlist the active participation of citizens to reduce the crime in their area.  There can't be a police officer on every corner, every minute, of every day...so citizen involvement is essential.

If your neighborhood group or business organization would like to start a Neighborhood or Business Watch or if you would like more information, please contact the Police Service Representative for your area.

East:     Shene Turner at sturner@riversideca.gov or 826-5297

North:   Nancy Castillo at ncast@riversideca.gov or 826-8721

Central:  Irma Ochoa at iochoa@riversideca.gov or 353-7962

West:     Antoinette Alexander at aalexander@riversideca.gov or 353-7969

Don't know what area you are in? Enter your street number, click go, select your street name below and we will let you know: