NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

Cape Coral has an active and effective Neighborhood Watch program. For information about Neighborhood Watch, click here.

www.capecoralwatch.com

   
CITIZEN’S POLICE ACADEMY

Twice each year, the Cape Coral Police Department conducts a Citizen’s Police Academy, an eight-week orientation program designed to give citizens an in-depth, hands-on look at how and why the police department does what it does.

The Citizen’s Police Academy is a streamlined version of the “real” police academy training that law enforcement officers must complete before they become certified. Attendees participate in a wide variety of activities, including Firearms Training (yes, you will shoot a gun), Ride Along on Patrol, Defensive Tactics, Traffic Safety, Criminal Law, Tactical Driving, Police Communications, Mentoring Programs for Youth, and other interesting topics.

The Citizen’s Police Academy generally meets one evening a week for three hours, in Council Chambers at Cape Coral City Hall. Some sessions, such as Firearms Training and Tactical Driving, are conducted off-site and during daylight hours, usually on a Saturday.

For more information, or to register for the Citizen’s Police Academy, call the police department’s Community Outreach Programs Unit at 242-3342.

CRIME LINE

The Cape Coral Police Department’s newest crime fighting tool, Crime Line, is now operational.

Crime Line is a special phone number that may be used to report tips or other confidential information directly to the police department’s Criminal Investigations Section.

The Crime Line phone number is 573-3068.

Callers will hear a recorded message but not speak live with anyone. Citizens may use Crime Line to report any type of tips, to provide information about where narcotics are being sold, to reveal the location of wanted suspects, to share knowledge about unsolved cases, or to offer any other information that may be of value to detectives. Calls will be reviewed regularly for follow up action by detectives.

Callers may remain anonymous or may leave their name and phone number if they wish to be contacted.

Crime Line may be used to report information about criminal activity in the City of Cape Coral only. Anyone with information about criminal activity in other jurisdictions should call the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Crime Line is not for emergencies (please use 9-1-1) or to report incidents such as burglaries, thefts, disturbances, traffic crashes, road hazards, etc., which should continue to be reported on the department’s regular non-emergency line, 574-3223.

SECURITY SURVEYS

If you ever been a victim of a burglary at your home or business, or even if you haven’t, you’ll want to do everything you can to make sure your valuables are safe and secure. The District Resource Coordinators (DRC’s) of the Cape Coral Police Department can help.

The DRC’s are certified Crime Prevention Practitioners. One of their duties is to perform Security Surveys. What is a Security Survey? A DRC will come to your home or business and will assess just how secure you and your valuables really are. In a residential Security Survey, the DRC checks different areas of your home, such as the doors, windows, lighting, alarm system, shrubbery, etc. The officer notes the strong points of the home and makes suggestions on how to strengthen the weak areas.

A business Security Survey is similar to the residential survey. However, the DRC also assesses the level of security as it pertains to the daily operation of the business and provides the business owner with suggestions for improvement.

There is no charge for a Security Survey. You do not have to be a crime victim to have one completed on your home or business. Whether or not you have been a victim of a burglary or theft, this survey can be a valuable tool for you to use to protect your home or business.

To arrange for a Security Survey, call 242-3350.

Remember -- don’t wait until you are a victim. Take action now!

HOUSE CHECKS

Planning a trip? Leaving town for the weekend? Need a little extra peace of mind? Think of your police department before you go.

Residents who are on vacation or away from home for any other reason may have their homes checked on a regular basis.

House Checks are carried out by the police department’s Community Volunteer Unit. Once a resident requests a House Check, the residence will be checked regularly for up to 30 days. There is no charge for this service.

To arrange for a House Check, homeowners should come to the lobby of the police building, 815 Nicholas Parkway, and fill out a request form.