The
Crime Prevention Section of the Jackson County Sheriff's
Department offers a multitude of services to reduce the
potential of criminal activities within the workplace, home
and community. This section is staffed by a Deputy
Sheriff who is responsible for the development of resources
and maintenance of partnerships to further the fight on
crime.
The
Department has identified both partners and community resources
through the following programs:
NEIGHBORHOOD
WATCH
Jackson
County has 134 Neighborhood Watch programs located in subdivisions,
seasonal lake and rural residential communities. The
Neighborhood Watch programs are identified by signs (PLACE
SIGN HERE) placed at strategic locations throughout the
watch area. The program has been successful by the
apprehension of criminals reported by watch members
and criminals who have indicated they have targeted areas
outside the Neighborhood Watch areas.
The
Neighborhood Watch program was developed in the 1980's to
further crime prevention and establish neighborhood partnerships. The
program has allowed residents to police their neighborhoods
and property, while becoming the needed eyes and ears for
the Sheriff's Department. No one knows their communities
better than the residents! When the unusual activities
occur, they are often observed but never reported.
Neighborhood
Watch programs offer an effective medium to communicate
these activities to each other and to law enforcement community. The
program does not promote vigilantism, it promotes cooperation
and involvement. The program is structured with Watch
Captain's who are trained observers, working in concert
with their neighborhood and the 911 Center. The ability
to identify unusual activities and report them immediately
has often been the formula to reduce and solve criminal
activities.
To
develop a Neighborhood Watch program for your neighborhood
or area contact the Crime Prevention Unit.
WORKPLACE
VIOLENCE SEMINARS
During
past few years, workplace violence has been risen dramatically. Daily
reports from around the country reveal aggression and violence
vented toward coworkers, supervision and business owners. The
motivations vary but indicators are often similar. The
manner in which you identify and handle a potential workplace
violence incident may mean the difference between life and
death.
The
Crime Prevention unit has developed presentations to raise
employees levels about potential workplace violence and
how to handle the irate coworker or customer. Workplace
Violence surveys are designed to the specific workplace
providing information on physical, structural and personal
issues surrounding the surveyed areas and issues of concern.
To
have a presentation prepared or your workplace surveyed,
contact the Crime Prevention Unit.
TRIAD
What
is TRIAD?
TRIAD
is not an acronym. It merely represents three sided
object, much like a pyramid. The First side represents
law enforcement, the Second all agencies that work issues
addressing senior citizens, and the final side represents
the senior citizens themselves. TRIAD is a program
that looks at solving problems seniors face daily in the
community.
TRIAD
program's first priority is to reduce crimes against the
elderly, but Triads also address fear of crime and reassurance
issues. Triad approach was the brainchild of representatives
of AARP, IACP, and NSA in the late 1980's. Through
the direction and assistance of the National Sheriff's Association
TRIAD is moving across the nation. Michigan presently
has sixteen working Triad's, the Michigan Sheriff's Association
has a goal to develop a in all 83 Michigan counties
by the year 2000.
The
TRIAD program debuted in Jackson County in late 1996 through
the initial efforts of previous Sheriff Hank Zavislak and
Deputy Crystal McCormick. Presently all of Jackson County's TRIAD
board positions are held by senior volunteers. This
insures that the TRIAD program here remains true to its;
Mission
Statement
Design
programs with senior's safety and health in mind. Utilize
the TRIAD model to increase positive relationships between
law enforcement, senior organizations, and the mature residents
of Jackson County. Strive to reduce victimization and
crime against seniors.
It
is the belief of the Jackson County Sheriff's Department
that the seniors of Jackson County have invested a great
deal of time and effort into the community, it is our responsibility
to re-invest into this group of wonderful citizens.
For
additional information on the TRIAD program contact the
Crime Prevention Unit.
CITIZENS
POLICE ACADEMY
Any
successful war on crime requires an active cooperative effort
between the police and the community. This partnership
has always existed in Jackson. We now want to move
this to a new level by encouraging citizens to participate
in the Jackson Citizens Police Academy.
WHAT
IS IT?
A
cooperative effort between the City of Jackson Police and
the Jackson County Sheriff's Departments to develop a program
designed to provide the public with a working knowledge
of the area law enforcement agencies personnel and policies. This
30 hour academy is a series of classes held once each week
for three hours. The instruction covers a different
area of the police and sheriff's departments every
week for ten weeks and also includes a formal graduation.
TOPICS
The
academy addresses such diverse topics as patrol, communications,
criminal investigations, jail operations, alcohol enforcement
procedures, crime prevention, family violence, juvenile
and criminal law, K-9 unit, Special Response Teams, firearm
usage, and the marine unit patrol etc. Emphasis is
placed on the patrol division as that is the segment of
the law enforcement agencies the public interacts with most
often. Instruction consists of lecture, tours, demonstrations,
and hands on experience.
COSTS
The
cost to participants is their time and commitment to return
to their neighborhood or community and assist in the development
or expansion of neighborhood watch group. Graduates
are encouraged to donate 20 hours as a community service
volunteer.
WHO
MAY ATTEND
Anyone
21 years or older may enroll. The only requirement
is that you must reside within the County of Jackson. The
classes are comprised of a cross section of Jackson City
- County residents.
For
more information contact the Crime Prevention Unit.
HOUSE
WATCH PROGRAM
The
House Watch program was developed in the late 1980 as a
community service program for residents living in the Jackson
County area. The purpose of the program was to deter
thee opportunity that a criminal may attain from a residence
left vacant while the property owner is either away
on vacation or at a winter residence.
The
program was so well received that Deputies were unable to
check the residences with the frequency required. The
program was temporally suspended during the late 1980's. But
due to the success of the Citizens Police Academy, the Department
has re-instituted the program in a cooperative effort
with Century Cellunet, a cellular service provider.
The
new program utilizes Citizen Police Academy graduates in
pairs operating Jackson County Sheriff's Department specially
marked vehicles, equipped with cellular phones to check
the various residences about the County of Jackson.
Receiving
the HOUSE WATCH Program
If
you are leaving on a vacation or are planning to be away
from your residence for a period of time, please complete
the HOUSE WATCH FORM. Download it to your printer and
send it to the Jackson County Sheriff's Department at 212
W. Wesley Street Jackson, Michigan 49201. Your residence
will be included in the HOUSE WATCH PROGRAM. Be sure
to telephone the Crime Prevention Unit and advise of your
return.
