Business Watch
The Thornton Business Watch is a FREE crime-prevention program that takes the neighbors-looking- after-neighbors’ concept to the commercial level, creating partnerships between businesses and law enforcement to reduce crime in our community.
The program philosophy is simple: take control of what happens in your business community. By empowering businesses with strategies to avoid becoming targets, we reduce the likelihood of crime and victimization.
Program Goal
The primary goal of the program is to actively reduce and prevent crime through education and cooperation. While the specific needs of each business community may vary, successful programs consistently follow these core principles:
Foster open communication and mutual understanding between law enforcement and business owners.
Promote collaboration and support among business owners.
Educate business owners on crime prevention strategies for their own properties, encourage vigilance over neighboring businesses, and reinforce the importance of documenting and reporting suspicious activity.
Establish a telephone tree and/or email distribution list to quickly share information about criminal activity in the area.
Create emergency alert signals that neighboring businesses can activate when assistance is needed.
Trainings
Training sessions cover key areas such as:
How to Be a Good Witness
Shoplifting Prevention
Personal Safety
Building Security
The ultimate goal is to help create a safe, secure atmosphere for businesses, employees, and patrons alike.
Why have a watch program?
Law enforcement cannot be on every corner, so citizen involvement is essential to combat crime.
You and your fellow merchants are the ones who really know what is going on in your community.
Networking with each other and law enforcement, businesses can help fight crime in their commercial districts in the most effective way – before it begins.
Garner publicity and community goodwill for your establishment.
Tips for success
Set clear and achievable goals for your community. Your Business Watch can help with insight on realistic goals and time frames.
Create a contact list for participating businesses and their pertinent information, including names, addresses, phone numbers and hours.
Hold regular meetings. Participation is key.
Understand your job is reporting suspicious activity and crime. The responsibility of apprehension belongs to the Thornton Police Department.