Crime Prevention

The Neenah Police Department Crime Prevention Program is focused on working with the community to develop partnerships designed to ultimately reduce crime. Our Community Policing Coordinator acts as a liaison to community groups and as the manager of our crime prevention programming. We partner with groups like the Neenah Joint School District, TRICOM, and the YMCA in order to address community concerns and provide education and resources to the community.

Take A Bite Out Of CrimeCrime prevention is central to our department’s commitment to community policing. By working together with the community we can improve the quality of life enjoyed by the citizens of Neenah. For more information, contact our community policing coordinator at (920) 886-6022.

As part of our ongoing commitment to working with the community, all our officers are involved in our different crime prevention activities. Crime Prevention Programming includes the following:

Wisconsin Bicycle Laws

Numbers in brackets refer to state statutes

  • Vehicular Status– The bicycle is defined as a vehicle. [340.01(5)] The operator of a vehicle is granted the same rights and subject to the same duties as the driver of any other vehicle. [346-02(4)(a)]
  • Lane Positioning– Always ride on the right in the same direction as other traffic. [346.80(2)(a)] Ride as far to the right as is practicable (not as far right as possible). [346.80(2)(a)] Practicable generally means safe and reasonable.
  • One Way Streets– Bicycles on a one-way street with 2 or more lanes of traffic may ride as near the left or right-hand edge or curb of the roadway as practicable (in the same direction as other traffic). [346.80(2)(b)]
  • Riding 2 Abreast– Riding 2 abreast (side-by-side) is permitted on any street as long as other traffic is not impeded. When riding 2 abreast on a 2 or more lane roadway, you both have to ride in a single lane. [346.80(3)(a)]
  • Hand Signals– Bicyclist are required to use the same hand signals as motorists. [346.35] Hand signals are required within 50 feet of your turn, and is not required continuously if you need both hands to control the bike. [346.34(1)(b)
  • Passing – A motorist passing a bicyclist in the same lane is required to give at least 3 feet of clearance, and maintain that clearance until safely passed. [346.075] A bicyclist passing a stopped or moving vehicle is also required to give at least 3 feet of clearance. [346.80 (2)C]
  • Bicycling at Night– At night, bicycles are required to have at least a white front headlight and a rear red reflector. The white front light must be visible to others 500 feet away. The red reflector must be visible to others 50 to 500 feet away. This is required whether you are riding on a street, path or sidewalk [347.489(1)]

Click here to learn more about the Independence Day Celebrations.

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is based on the principle that proper design and effective use of buildings and public spaces in neighborhoods can lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime, and an improvement in the quality of life.  Learn how to assess conditions in your neighborhood and apply practical access control (doors, fences), surveillance (lighting, windows, landscaping), territorial reinforcement (signs, sidewalks, ordinances), and maintenance (code enforcement, community clean ups) to improve your community, your neighborhood, and/or your home.

What is Crime Stoppers?

Crime Stoppers is a cooperative effort between law enforcement agencies, the business community, the news media, and the public, which provides law enforcement agencies with the information they need to solve crimes. 

Crime Stoppers encourages people to provide tips that can be vital in the successful solution of a crime by offering cash rewards for tips which lead to the arrest and/or indictment of felony or misdemeanor suspects, and by guaranteeing that the tipster’s identity remains unknown.

How does it work?

When a person contacts Crime Stoppers through the anonymous tip line or website, and the information leads to an arrest, they become eligible for a CASH reward up to $1,000 Dollars. The 24 hour, 7 days a week Crime Stopper telephone maintains a caller’s anonymity by assigning a secret code number which is used in the subsequent CASH reward.

Park Watch Program

The Park Watch program was designed for the municipalities within Winnebago County to curb the incidents of vandalism and theft in area parks. 

Special Park Watch signs displaying the Winnebago CountyWide Crime Stoppers anonymous text tip information and phone line are posted in every park within Winnebago County. 

So, I can text my tip?

Tipsters now have the option of texting tips through their cell phone.

Text “IGOTYA plus your message” to 274637 or CRIMES

More information can be found at: http://www.winnebagocrimestoppers.org/

There are 2 things we have to accept:

  1. The Internet is not going away
  2. As parents we have to educate ourselves, before we can educate our kids about how to use the Internet safely.

The Internet has made daily living easier, but it has also made crime easier. Everyone using the Internet is a potential target for online crimes. Simple rules and guidelines for children can help protect them from potential crimes. Everyone has to play a role in keeping our children safe so we have provided information and links for children and parents.
Resources:

Internet Safety Tips for Teens
Internet Safety Tips for Tweens
Cyberbullying
Tips for Parents to Prevent Sexting
Cybersecurity Made Clear
How to Protect Your Kids Online
Gaming Safety
Teens Guide to Social Networking
Ideas for Parents ton How to Teach Children

The Neenah Police Department provides this information as guidance, but makes no claims that it is in strict accordance with current landlord and tenant laws, which are largely part of a civil process.  Therefore, it is highly recommended that landlords and tenants seek the advice of professionals before proceeding in any fashion.

Wisconsin Consumer Protection Laws – Landlord/Tenant
Wisconsin Consumer Protection Laws – Landlord / Tenant continued…
Tenants Rights and Responsibilities
Chapter 704 of the Wisconsin State Statutes
Chapter 134 Agriculture Trade and Consumer Protection Statutes
Screening Guidelines

What is Neighborhood Watch?

Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program that enlists the active participation of residents in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime, solve problems, and improve the quality of life in your area. In it you will get to know and work with your neighbors, and learn how to:

  • Recognize and report crimes and suspicious activities
  • Protect yourself, your family, and your property,
  • Protect your neighbor’s family and property, and
  • Identify crime and disorder problems in your area and work with NPD personnel to solve them.

All Neighborhood Watch groups share one foundational idea: that bringing community members together to reestablish control of their neighborhoods promotes an increased quality of life and reduces the crime rate in that area.  Studies have shown, neighborhood crime prevention, such as collective action by residents, has proved one of the most effective crime strategies.  The reason for this effectiveness is rather simple: involving community members in watch programs decreases opportunities for criminals to commit crime, rather than attempting to change their behavior or motivation.

More Information:

How do I start a Watch Group?

Neighborhood Watch groups are NEIGHBOR driven, but do work closely with law-enforcement.  If you and your neighbors are interested in forming a Neighborhood Watch group, please contact the Neenah Police Department Community Policing Coordinator at 920-886-6022

 Also, the information links above will explain further what is expected of the Neighborhood Watch group, as well as the Block Captain.

Theft from vehicles has increased dramatically over the past several years.  Many of these thefts occur when cars are parked in driveways.  The popularity of GPS units, expensive stereo equipment, and cellular phones appear to encourage car prowlers. Any vehicle with a visible cellular phone, GPS unit, visible power cord or mount, briefcase, purse, gym bag or other valuables left in sight may be a target.

Other property often stolen from vehicles includes:

  • Stereos
  • Purses/wallets
  • Checkbooks
  • Sunglasses
  • Equipment
  • Cameras
  • Spare change
  • CDs
  • Auto parts
  • Power tools
  • Tool boxes
  • Hand tools
  • Prescription Meds

What Thieves Do With Stolen Property?

Many things can be sold to other thieves or to someone who is looking for a deal. Other times they can be sold for cash at pawnshops. Some thieves look for purses to steal, and then they immediately make large purchases on the credit cards and alter the victim’s ID so they, or an accomplice, can forge the checks. This can cause an incredible amount of worry, hassle, and inconvenience for a victim. The thief doesn’t care about you, your feelings, or the hardship the theft will put you through. His or her point of view is, “Why should I pay for something when I can steal it?”

Preventing Vehicle Theft 

Put valuables out of sight, preferably in the trunk or bring them into the house at night. Thieves will break into any vehicle if they think there is something of value to be stolen from it.  Similarly, they are aware that many gym bags contain jewelry, keys, cash, and personal stereos, etc.  After removing valuables from view, LOCK YOUR CAR DOORS!!!!!!!. This will discourage some of the more casual thieves, the ones looking for the opportunity to steal. It will also deter those who would go into an unlocked car to look for a trunk or hood release button in order to steal auto parts or the contents of the trunk. 

Report suspicious activity while it is happening. This could save you or your neighbor from being victimized. Call 9-1-1 and stay on the line if you see or hear something that seems unusual or suspicious. Try to get a description of the suspects and their vehicle, and do not confront suspects.  Don’t think you are bothering the police by calling them to report suspicious activity. It’s their job to detect and apprehend criminals, and they need your help because they can’t be in everyone’s neighborhood 24 hours a day.  If your suspicions prove to be unfounded, you shouldn’t feel embarrassed. The police prefer that you call them so they can investigate that suspicious activity. It is more desirable to be mistaken than to be a victim!

Additional Security Measures

Outdoor security, such as lighting left on from dusk to dawn, is inexpensive and helps to deter crimes such as theft, vandalism, and burglary. In addition, many citizens are now equipping their cars with alarm systems. In some cases, the value of the vehicle and/or its contents are worth the cost of installation.  You can increase the chances of your property being recovered if it is stolen, by recording the serial number and marking items with an Identification number, such as your drivers license number.

Are you going on a long deserved vacation, without the ability to have a trusted neighbor, friend or relative keep an eye on your home while you are away?  While it is recommended that you keep in mind the following crime prevention tips when leaving on vacation…

Vacation Crime Prevention Tips

…sometimes an extra set of eyes can add to your peace of mind.

 The Neenah Police Department will assign a Community Service Officer to periodically check the outside of the home, looking for anything out of place or suspicious.  This is a free service, and is only a phone call away.  To get registered, please call the Neenah Police Department, prior to leaving on your vacation, at 920-886-6000…and have fun.

Statistics show that while overall crime in Neenah is down, theft, including theft from vehicles, continues to be a problem.  In an effort to address this, the Neenah Police Department will be using a new approach to spread an old message.  Neenah Police officers will be distributing educational materials, in the form of “vehicle report cards”.

Officers will be conducting security checks of unoccupied parked vehicles, noting whether doors are locked, windows are closed, items of value are in plain view, or anything else that could make the vehicle more attractive to thieves.  A “report card” will be completed, indicating whether the vehicle passed or failed this security check, with a reason given. The “report cards” will then be placed on the windshield, but will not be a ticket.

It is hoped that those with vehicles that “pass”, will feel encouraged to continue habits that make their property safe, while those with vehicles that “do not pass”, will see this as an opportunity to make changes, as they are relieved to discover it was a police officer visiting their vehicle, and not a thief.

We realize that sometimes despite best efforts to avoid it, people are still victimized; however, there are often simple measures that can be taken, to help keep property safe and reduce your chances of being victimized.  These report cards simply point out areas of vulnerability, as it pertains to citizens’ vehicles.

What does this Report Card look like?

Sample Report Card