Neighborhood Watch

What is Neighborhood Watch? Neighborhood Watch is a program used throughout the nation where neighbors look out for each other. Assisted by the Community Services Assistant, a neighbor opens his/her home to the neighborhood and a short but informative meeting is held. At the meeting such things as when to call 911 is discussed as well as a block captain is decided upon. The block captain becomes the direct contact for the Community Services Assistant. A telephone chain is completed and Neighborhood Watch signs are handed out. Home Security is discussed as well.

National Night Out

National Night Out is a National Event and is held on the first Tuesday of August each year. The Community Services Assistant and the Block Captains organize Neighborhood Watch block parties with visits from the Sheriff, Undersheriff, Captains, Lieutenants and Deputies. The event is designed to (1) heighten crime and drug prevention awareness; (2) generate support for and participation in local anticrime programs; (3) strengthen neighborhood spirit and community policing partnerships.

Business Watch

Business Watch is a program of organized business people working in concert with the Sheriff's Department to suppress crimes against businesses and crimes that occur in commercial areas.

Business Watch offers:

• Commercial Security Survey
  
• Crime Prevention Training
  
• Workplace Violence Training
  
• Training in fraud and detecting bad checks and counterfeit currency
  
• Shoplifting Prevention Training
  
• Robbery Prevention Training
  
• Burglary Prevention Training
  
• Internal Theft Training
  
• Personal Safety/Safety on the Job Site Training
  

Identity Theft

With Identity Theft being classified as the "Crime of the Millennium", training on how not to become a victim is essential. The hour and a half class teaches ways to minimize your chances of becoming a victim of this devastating crime - and what to do if you become a victim. The training is done by appointment only and is available to anyone/any group interested.

Special Olympics

Calaveras County Sheriff's Department is proud to be involved with Special Olympics.

WHAT ARE SPECIAL OLYMPICS?

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for individuals with developmental disabilities by giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

In Northern California, more than 14,000 persons with developmental disabilities participate in local, area and chapter-wide competitions. The programs are offered at no expense to all eligible athletes and are possible solely due to generous financial contributions and many very dedicated volunteers.

HOW DOES CALAVERAS SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT PARTICIPATE?

We participate in the Law Enforcement Torch Run.

WHAT IS A LAW ENFORCEMENT TORCH RUN?

The Law Enforcement Torch Run began in 1981 when Wichita, Kansas Police Chief Richard LaMunyon saw a need to raise awareness of and funds for Special Olympics. He conceived the idea of the Torch Run as a way to involve local law enforcement with their communities and Special Olympics by running the torch in intra-state relays that converge at their local Summer Games. Today, the Law Enforcement Torch Run takes place in all 50 states and in over 30 foreign countries generating $13,000,000 annually. It is the largest grass roots fundraising program benefiting Special Olympics.

In Northern California, over 2,500 law enforcement personnel at all levels will participate in the run which will be held for 10 days, connecting over 30 counties culminating at the opening ceremonies of the Summer Games. Last year eight Calaveras County Sheriff's Deputies ran the Torch from Angels Camp to Wallace where San Joaquin County Sheriff's Department picked it up to continue their run through San Joaquin County.

The Crime Prevention Unit also sells Special Olympics T-shirts for $15.00 with all proceeds going to Special Olympics. Anyone interested in purchasing one of these tax deductible t-shirts are asked to contact Pat Ross at (209) 754-6500.