Definitions

Neighborhood

• Minimum of 1 square block with 20% involvement
• Encourage participation and adding additional blocks for greater success   

Neighborhood Watch 

• Operates to educate participants in the principles of deterrence, delay and detection.
• The program depends on a communication network organized with 3 levels - Resident, Block
  Captain and local police.
• Vigilante actions are in no way condoned by the Neighborhood Watch Program and no one is asked to take personal risks.
  

Chronic Nuisance Ordinance

The City of La Crosse Municipal Code includes an ordinance regarding Chronic Nuisance Properties (Sec 30-27) which is defined as a property that has three (3) or more separate police and/or code nuisance violations resulting in enforcement actions within any 12-month period. Types of violations include, but are not limited to:

• Fireworks
• Loud noises
• Animal violations
• Property offenses
• Underage alcohol
• Weapon offenses
• Lewd/lascivious behavior

How to Start

• Recruit neighbors to be a part of the program
• Contact La Crosse Police Department and schedule a meeting to collaborate
• Discuss certain points of concern and develop a plan of action  
• Create a communication plan with the Police for the neighborhood  
• Hold yearly meetings and events for your neighborhood, 
  recommend 4/year (can include National Night Out for a meeting)   
  

Benefits of a Neighborhood Watch Program

• Reduces Crime
• Unites the community
• Creates a partnership between communities and law enforcement 
  

Responsibilities

Block Captain

• Schedule meetings (minimum once a year, recommend 4/year) 
• Act as communicator between neighbors and police  
• Welcome new neighbors that move into the neighborhood   
• Plan events for your neighborhood  

Neighbors

• Be aware of suspicious activity and certain crimes: 
  • Auto theft 
  • Burglary 
  • Vandalism
• Communicate about long periods of time away from your home 
• Be cooperative and organized  
• Know the proper steps to take if a crime is witnessed
  

Yard Signs

If you have an established Neighborhood Watch program, La Crosse Police may be able to provide up to four (4) yard signs upon request. Please contact the Professional Standards/Community Services Bureau at 608-789-7240.

Other Recommendations

• Be Alert – You and your neighbors can prevent crime by watching over each other’s property.
• Be Cooperative – The success of the neighborhood watch depends on the cooperation of each member.  Show concern for neighborhood safety.
• Be Organized – Be alert to any suspicious activity in your neighborhood.
• Be Responsive – Be a good neighbor. Become involved.

Register Your Camera

If you have a private surveillance/security camera system around your home, this can prove to a great tool for law enforcement when trying to solve problems in your neighborhood. The La Crosse Police offers our citizens the ability to register their camera system, so that in the event of a crime, we can contact you to see if your cameras captured anything. This is completely voluntary and you can be removed from the list at any time. Also, this list is for Police investigative use only. Camera Registration can be completed at any time.

Who to Contact

La Crosse Police Professional Standards/Community Services Bureau - (608) 789-7240

• General questions and information
• Request to have an Officer present at a neighborhood meeting
• Yard sign requests

Community Risk Management - (608) 789-7530

• Inspection concerns regarding lawn overgrowth

Refuse & Recycling - (608) 789-7508

• Abandoned items

Non-emergency Dispatch - (608) 782-7575

Emergency - Dial 9-1-1