Show All Answers

1. Can I schedule a tour of your facility?

Yes. To schedule a tour please call the patrol administrative sergeant at the police department’s non-emergency number 303-237-2220.

2. What is the most common way burglars enter homes?

Primarily through open or unsecured/unlocked windows or doors. The next most common method is via door kicks (i.e./the interior door is kicked in by the suspect).

3. There is no crime in our neighborhood. Should we still try to start a Neighborhood Watch?

The Neighborhood Watch program is intended to teach residents how to prevent crime, so there is great value in starting the program before you see crime in your area. Call 303-237-2220 and ask to speak with the patrol administrative sergeant to obtain additional information.

4. I don't like to go to a lot of meetings. Can I still be a Neighborhood Watch participant?

You’ll have to attend the initial community meeting, but after that you’ll only be asked to attend one block party or community meeting per year. If you want to be a block captain, however, you should plan to attend quarterly meetings with the police department.

5. Who conducts the Neighborhood Watch meetings?

The police department will assign an officer to conduct research on the crime statistics in your neighborhood watch area, and you will work with this officer on determining the parameters of your Neighborhood Watch area. After the officer conducts crime analysis, you’ll set the community meeting date with them. At the community meeting, the officer will present information about crime in your neighborhood, and they will also present some crime prevention information.

6. Won't the Neighborhood Watch program just result in a lot of frivolous and unnecessary calls to the police?

While calls for service may increase, these calls are GOOD calls for service. Officers want to respond to calls for suspicious vehicles, people, and activities before they escalate into actual crimes

7. How do we get started?

Please contact dispatch at 303-237-2220 and ask to speak to the patrol administrative sergeant.

8. How do we obtain Neighborhood Watch signs?

The police department will have the City of Wheat Ridge place signs in your neighborhood. However, you will only receive the signs if you are an active Neighborhood Watch group and are registered with the police department. It’s not enough to declare that you have a Neighborhood Watch area if you don’t have the community meeting and receive guidance from the police department.

9. What type of crime prevention programs are available in Wheat Ridge?

The numerous crime prevention programs are listed on this website on the Police Department page under the Crime Prevention Information tab. You can view other programs under the Community Partnerships tab as well.

10. Is there a crime prevention program specific to businesses?

The crime prevention team is currently working on getting a Crime Free Business program up and running in late 2009.

11. Will an officer speak to my civic group?

Please contact the patrol administrative sergeant at 303-237-2220 to have an officer scheduled for your event. Please contact us at least three weeks in advance to ensure that an officer will be available.

12. Can a criminal justice major work in the department while attending school?

Yes, but the department must have “meaningful work” or a particular project for the intern to devote themselves to during the semester. Then, they must fill out a volunteer application and be the subject of an extensive background investigation.