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The
Neighborhood Watch program consists of interested neighbors
in an area who want to preserve the peace of their homes and the quality
of life in their neighborhood.
What can one person do? What can a Neighborhood Watch group do?
The police cannot be everywhere at every time. What they do need are
interested citizens who can be the "eyes and ears" of the
police.
When you see something suspicious, call police.
In Fulton, you can call 911 for an urgent call or
emergency. In
situations such as a fight, or someone actively damaging property, you
should call 911. For loud music, parking complaints, or other problems
which are not an emergency, you can call 598-2111. The best time to call
is when the incident is happening. If you call the next day, or days
later, it may become more difficult to resolve the problem
What to report:
Emergencies or crimes in progress should be reported immediately to
911 - Don’t be embarrassed if your suspicions turn out to be unfounded
Emergencies:
Someone screaming for help
Some in need of medical attention
Anyone being forced into a vehicle
An apparently emotionally disturbed person
Any crime in progress
Someone looking into windows of homes or parked
cars
Apparent drug trafficking
Property being taken from a house where no one is
at home
Open or broken doors to a home or business
Vehicles moving slowly without lights, with no
apparent destination or repeating the same action
Stranger sitting in a car or stopping and talking
to a child
When Making the Report
Briefly describe the event, what happened, when, where and who was
involved
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Provide your name, address and telephone number
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Tell them if medical assistance is needed
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Describe the suspect: sex, race, age, height,
weight, hair color, clothing, distinctive characteristics, and if
weapons were involved
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Suspect’s last know direction of travel
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Describe vehicle if one was involved, color make,
model, year, license plate and special features such as stickers,
dents, decals
Warnings; Criminal charges
For neighborhood nuisance complaints such as loud music, police will
usually attempt to resolve an issue by giving someone a warning. In some
cases, people are unaware that their actions are disturbing others. If
this does not resolve the problem, police will attempt to be the witness
to an offense so as not to put neighbors at odds with each other.
However, there are times when an incident may not be occurring in the
officer’s presence. In those instances, police may need your help if
someone wants to press charges. Police may ask whether you wish to sign
charges yourself or provide police with a written statement about the
offense.
What if the police tell me there is no offense, or
that I cannot press charges?
Police officers will assess whether there is probable cause that an
offense was committed and that a particular person(s) committed the
offense. If the officer’s assessment is that there is no offense, or
if there is a problem in identifying the offender, the officer may tell
you that charges cannot be brought.
What else can be done?
Be observant. Be vigilant. But don’t take the law into your own
hands. Neighborhood Watch promotes observations and reporting. Be alert,
but don’t endanger yourself.
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What about the
Nuisance Abatement Law?
For continuous problems that are
related to a particular property or location, the City of Fulton has a
Nuisance Abatement Law. For perpetual nuisances that are related to a
particular property, the City can request an order in court that the
nuisance activity be stopped. Alternatively, the City can request an
order to close the property. There is a $500 assessment attached to the
person against whom a Nuisance Abatement action is brought. Generally
speaking, this requires that there be three convictions within a two
year period at a location. Each case is evaluated on its own merits and
in consideration of available resources. |
