Posted: February 01, 2010

A neighborhood watch is one of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce fear.  Neighborhood watches fight the isolation that crime both creates and feeds upon, they forge bonds among area residents, help reduce burglaries and robberies, and improve relation between police and the communities they serve.

Most people expect to find crime-watch initiatives out in the streets of their neighborhoods, not on their browsers.  But more and more organizations are using custom apps they’ve created using the Conduit Platform to stay connected and keep their communities updated with crime watch efforts and concerns.

The Oaks Watch, a neighborhood watch in Kissimmee, FL, launched their custom apps a year ago.  One in three community members access the apps available as part of the Oaks Watch community toolbar on a daily basis, staying up to date with crime watch news and alerts, and chatting with neighbors and fellow community watch members.

As expressed on the oaks watch website: “[when an emergency strikes,] an alert is sent out, and a bubble will pop up near your clock [on your desktop], it will let you know what is going on. Click on the link and it will tell you the whole story, then go to the chat room on the toolbar and chat with others to get the latest information”

As an example, a couple of months back, the Oaks Watch were able to alert their community via an announcement sent using the message app on their community toolbar: the mystery of tire slashing and credit card theft was finally resolved.

To learn more, visit the Oaks Watch website or install their custom community toolbar.

The Ventura County Crime Blog posts facts on crimes committed in Ventura County, Ca.  Their main goal is to provide reliable and unbiased information regarding criminal activities in the area as a service for local citizens.  Collaborating with the local authorities, the Ventura County Crime Stoppers Board of Directors meets monthly at the Camarillo Police Dept.

Using  the Ventura County Crime Blog custom apps, community members are able to receive instant and time sensitive alerts, such as Amber Alerts or other public safety information, are able to access live crime report updates, are able to contact the blog’s editors directly, and offer anonymous tips to help solve crimes.

Other custom apps available on the community toolbar allow direct access to the County’s Most Wanted and direct access to Ventura County Crime Library.

To learn more, visit the Ventura Country Crime Blog or install their custom community toolbar.