CRIME PREVENTION

The Conroe Police Department Crime Prevention Unit offers numerous programs to the public to aid in the prevention of crime, reduction of injuries and losses sustained as a victim of a crime, as well as training in personal and firearm safety.

The Crime Prevention Unit is staffed by three full time officers and is assisted by patrol officers, K-9 officers, SWAT Team members, investigators, and other certified instructors.

Listed below are some of the specific programs provided to the public:

• Burglary Prevention
• Robbery Prevention
• Personal Safety
• Firearms Safety
• Tours of the Police Department

Listed below are some of the on-going programs performed by the Crime Prevention Unit:

• Neighborhood Watch                                    
• Citizen's Police Academy 
• Youth Citizen Police Academy  
• Home Security Surveys  
• Business Security Surveys
• Operation I.D.
• Identi-Kid (child fingerprinting and photos)
• "Crime Prevention" 
• Operation Homewatch
• National Night Out  

Residential and business burglaries cost owners millions of dollars each year. Most burglaries are committed by youths 18 years of age and younger. Most burglars are not skilled professionals, but they take advantage of an easy target. Don't make it easy for them. Learn how to protect your home or business. Meet with a Crime Prevention Officer to see how you can improve your security. You may even qualify for a discount on your insurance premiums if you meet some minimum standards on a home security survey.

Here are a few simple tips to help improve your home or business security:

INSTALL DEADBOLT LOCKS

Deadbolts are usually locked with a key on the outside and a thumb turn on the inside. If there is glass in or near your door, you use a deadbolt that is locked with a key on both sides. Lock your doors every time you leave your home. Most home burglaries occur during daylight hours and it can only take minutes for a burglar to take your property.

INSTALL SOLID ENTRY DOORS

Outside doors should be metal or solid hardwood and at least 1 3/4 inches thick. Frames should be made of equally strong materials and the door must fit the frame securely. In a lot of cases, it is not the door, but the door frame that fails when the door is pried or kicked open.

MARK YOUR PROPERTY

In the event you suffer loss from a burglary, have your property marked with an identifying number, such as your driver's license number, to help return your property to you if it is located. The Conroe Police Department Crime Prevention Unit offers engravers free for the public to use through Operation ID.

USE PROPER EXTERIOR LIGHTING

The proper use of exterior lighting often scares away potential burglars. Burglars don't want to be seen. Lights over exterior doors and lights positioned on the corners of your residence can aid in burglary prevention.

WORK TOGETHER WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS

When you are going to be away, tell trusted friends or neighbors and ask them to watch your property. Have your lawn maintained and your mail picked up. Sign up for Operation Homewatch and have patrol officers make regular patrol checks at your residence.

Learn how to protect yourself from being the easy target of a robber. Crime Prevention Officers can give you tips on personal robbery prevention and also how to prevent a robbery at your business.

Whether you are traveling, jogging, walking, or visiting your favorite store, learn how to protect yourself from being the victim of an assault or robbery. Crime Prevention Officers can instruct you on how to be visible, alert, and better prepared in case of an emergency. Our Department also discusses fraud, common scams, and personal protection with senior citizens' groups.

The Conroe Police Department Crime Prevention Unit offers presentations to groups such as schools, churches, civic organizations, neighborhood watch programs, and scout troops to teach basic firearm safety and especially for children who might come into contact with a firearm. Also discussed are current firearm laws including topics such as concealed handgun licensing. These programs can be adapted for everyone from young children to senior citizens.

Enjoy a guided tour of our new Police Station, including our communications center, crime scene lab, and other areas of interest. This is a tour scout troops, school classes, children, and adults alike will enjoy. For more information, contact the Crime Prevention Unit.

The Conroe Police Department Crime Prevention Unit can help you fight crime in your neighborhood. Crime Prevention will assist your homeowners' association, subdivision, or apartment complex combat crime problems in your area by establishing a neighborhood watch program. Officers will explain what can be done and organize an ongoing program for your area.

The Conroe Police Department Citizens' Police Academy is a twelve-week program held one night a week for approximately three hours each night. The public is invited to register and attend. Class size is usually 20 persons.

Participants in the class are shown a birds-eye view of the inner workings of the Police Department through lecture, demonstration, and participation in role- playing with members of each division of the Police Department.

The Citizen's Police Academy often dispels myths, lessens anxiety, and provides a close-up and personal look at the officers and their job functions within the Department. It is not uncommon to have members of the class remain active as volunteers for the Department. Since the Academy's inception 1990, there have been members who have been hired as full-time civilian employees, as well as certified police officers.

The Conroe Police Department Youth Citizen Police Academy is designed as a ten-week program, which introduces high school age children to the Police Department and a possible career in law enforcement. The program is coordinated with the Conroe Independent School District and the SKILLSUSA Program. Students attend their respective high school SKILLSUSA Program during the school year and attend the Youth Police Academy during one semester. Average attendance to the Youth Police Academy is 25 students.

The students are introduced to the inner workings of the Police Department and receive training in police tactics, criminal law, and constitutional issues. The students meet and interact with officers from each division of the Police Department.

Near the end of the school year, students compete in state and national competitions and demonstrate their abilities and knowledge learned during the school year and the Youth Police Academy. We are proud to report that the students from Conroe Independent School District have won the State Championship and have achieved National Championship honors.

A Crime Prevention Officer will come to your home and review your property for ways to improve the security of your home. If you pass the security survey or make the necessary changes, you may qualify for a five percent reduction in your homeowner's insurance premium. The visit is designed to increase the security of your home whether or not you intend to apply for the homeowner's insurance premium reduction.

Similar to the home security survey, this survey is designed for the business owner interested in improving the security of the business. A Crime Prevention Officer will meet with the business owner and discuss ways to prevent crime on the premises.

The Conroe Police Department Crime Prevention allows the public, free of charge, to borrow engravers to mark tools or other property. This enhances the chances of recovery should the property ever be stolen. 

The Conroe Police Department Crime Prevention works with local stores, schools, and organizations to help parents keep permanent records on their children in the event the child should become lost or missing. Parents will receive a card with their child's fingerprints, a place to enter information about the child, and a place to put a current photograph of the child. Events can be scheduled by contacting the Crime Prevention Unit.

The Conroe Police Department Crime Prevention Unit, in cooperation with the Conroe Courier and Houston Community Newspapers, sponsors a weekly crime prevention column.  The column features current tips on a variety of public safety issues. Readers will find useful information on safety and current crime trends in our area.

When you are going to be away from your home for an extended stay, protect your property by signing up for Operation Homewatch. In addition to regular patrols, patrol officers from each patrol shift will make an additional check of your residence while you are away. If problems should arise, the communications center will notify you of the situation. It helps to know someone else is looking out for your home while you are away.

National Night Out, a symbol of communities and law enforcement agencies fighting together against crime, is held the first Tuesday in October of each year. The goal of National Night Out is to heighten crime and drug prevention awareness and to strengthen neighborhood spirit and police community relations, sending a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and fighting back.

This is how it works....

Residents in neighborhoods throughout Conroe and across the nation are asked to turn on their porch light, venture out onto their street and spend the evening with neighbors, police officers, fire fighters, and EMS Personnel. Many neighborhoods host a variety of events such as block parties, cookouts, parades, youth activities and anti-crime and drug rallies.

This event is an excellent opportunity for the citizens of Conroe and the Conroe Police Department to get together to promote crime and drug prevention and to continue strengthening the police-community relationship.

Your participation in Conroe National Night Out will show your support for making your community a safer place to live. For more information, contact the Conroe Police Department Crime Prevention Unit.

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