Welcome to the Official Web Site of Indianapolis and Marion County, Indiana

National Night Out Against Crime
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Join law enforcement in giving crime a going away party

CrimeWatch Program History

In April 1976, the City of Indianapolis, The Indianapolis News, and the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee formulated the concepts that have guided the existing CrimeWatch Program.  The purpose of the CrimeWatch is to create a self-help cooperative effort to reduce crime and the fear of crime in neighborhoods.  This is achieved by citizens, law enforcement, and local government working together.

CrimeWatch is a division of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.  Citizens participating in this program become more aware of crime prevention techniques that can help lower their risk of becoming victims.  A pro-active approach against crime is taken through communication and cooperation of citizens, local government and law enforcement.

Over time, CrimeWatch has developed additional programs in response to the needs of the community.  Programs also promote crime prevention education. The CrimeWatch program continues to find innovative ways in responding to the needs of the community, with crime prevention education being its primary goal.

Organizing neighborhood block clubs has been the primary focus of CrimeWatch since its inception in 1976.  A few concerned residents, a community organization, or a law enforcement agency can spearhead the effort to organize a block club.

To organize a block club, residents are required to have two meetings; one with the district CrimeWatch specialist and the other with a community relations officer.  Meetings train members in home security and reporting skills. Members are provided with the latest information on local crime patterns. Block clubs are not asked to be vigilantes or to assume the role of the police. They are extra eyes and ears for reporting crime and helping neighbors.  CrimeWatch programs help to build pride and serve as a springboard for efforts that address community concerns. Remember "Great Neighbors Make Great Neighborhoods."

For more information on ongoing projects and programs contact Shirley Purvitis at P1527@indygov.org. 

Topics

Vehicle Thefts? Or are you giving it to them?
"It sure is cold outside! I think I'll warm up my vehicle. It will take just a minute, so I'll  go back inside and get the kids dressed or finish dressing myself, and the car will be warm when it's time to go.  Well what a surprise!  When I open the door to go out, the vehicle is gone!  Someone has stolen it.  And not only do they have my vehicle but everything I left inside it, including my laptop from the office and my purse."

Do you get the picture?

If this should ever happen to you, there are a few things you will need to report the incident; your VIN number, make and model of vehicle, etc.  Do you have a copy of your registration and insurance information other than the one in the vehicle?  This will simplify making a report, and the information will be needed when the vehicle is located.

Also check with your insurance company and make sure you are covered in such incidents.

Use the time it takes for your vehicle to warm as time for  you and your children to discuss what is in their thoughts.  They are dressed in warm clothes and could become overheated in a too-hot vehicle.

When you get gas, don't leave the car running or leave a child in it!  Criminals don't care about the children, they just want a ride.  If it is parked, it should be off and locked.

Teenage Victims of Crime; How to help a troubled friend

Did you know that teens are twice as likely as any other age group to be victims of violent and property crimes?  Girls are more likely to be victims of sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking, while boys are more likely to be the victims of assaults, robbery, and homicide. This is not to leave out the bullies and cyber stalkers that pray on our children.

Given the high victimization rate for teens, chances are that you've either been a victim of a crime yourself, or you know someone who has been.  Experiencing a crime can be traumatic, whether it involves a stolen wallet or a physical assault.  All victims need help.

If you are a victim of a crime, you may feel -

• Embarrassed or foolish that someone took advantage of you.
• Guilty because you could not prevent the crime, or because your circumstances allowed it to happen.
• Anger and a desire for revenge.
• Fear that the perpetrator or someone else may stalk, rob, or attack you again.
• Shock that something so unexpected has happened to you.
• Sadness about the loss of property or feelings of safety you had before the crime.
• Hopelessness that anything can be done about the crime.
• Reluctance to talk about the crime, or a need to tell your story over and over.
• A sense that things will never be the same.

What you might do -

• Call 911 immediately to report the crime and get any needed emergency medical treatment.
• Talk to the police.  Talk to your parents, or other trusted adult.
• Do not blame yourself for the crime.  Tell yourself that you did not cause it to happen.
• Try to remember details of the perpetrator's appearance and the events to help police solve the crime.  Make notes as soon as you can so you don't forget.
• Accept that strong feelings of anger, fear, embarrassment, and shock, and sadness are normal after experiencing a traumatic event. If these feelings last for a long time or interfere with your daily life, see a victim assistance counselor or other professional. Your school nurse or guidance counselor can help with referrals.
• Do not try to seek revenge or solve the crime, even if you know who is responsible.
• Don't be embarrassed to talk to your friends about the event and your feelings.  You may need their support for a while.
• Ask about a victim assistance program in your school or community or call the National Crime Victim Information and Referral Hotline operated by the National Organization for Victim Assistance (the toll-free number is 800-879-6682).
• Work with your parents or other trusted adults to come up with a safety plan for protecting yourself from future crime.

Your Legal Rights as a Victim -

Police officers and courts realize that victims need help.  The Indiana Constitution protects the rights of victims. Article 1, Section 13 of the Indiana Constitution affords victims of crimes the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect throughout the criminal justice process and the right to be informed of and present during public hearings and to confer with the prosecution, to the extent that exercising these rights does not infringe upon the constitutional rights of the accused.

The Indiana Code further defines these rights to include:

• The right to be treated with fairness, dignity and respect
• The right to be informed of release or escape of an accused
• The right to confer with the prosecuting attorney
• The right to have one's personal safety considered in release determination
• The right to be heard
• The right to make a statement in a presentence report
• The right to pursue restitution
• The right to information on disposition of a case
• The right to be informed of a victim's rights
  Ind. Code § 35-40-1, et seq.

If a Friend is a Victim of a Crime -

• Listen sympathetically and reassure your friend that you believe them.
• Don't blame your friend even if their actions put them in harm's way.
• Because victims often blame themselves, tell your friend repeatedly that it is not their fault.
• Discourage your friend from seeking revenge. Remember two wrongs do not make a  ight. It simply makes them both wrong.
• Encourage your friend to tell a supportive adult, such as a parent, teacher, or coach.
• If you think your friend needs help but won't tell anyone, find an adult you trust and tell what  happened.
• In an emergency, call the police and report the crime, even if your friend asks you not to do it. This may save your friend's life, or someone else's.
• If possible, encourage your friend to recall specific details of the event.  Your friend may be able to provide the police with information that will lead to the criminal's arrest.  Have them write them down.

If you are the Parent of a Teen Crime Victim -

How you and other adults respond to a teen who has experienced a crime can make a difference in how the teen copes with and recovers from the event. Remember that witnessing a violent crime can be as traumatic as experiencing it directly.

The National Center for Victims of Crime recommends that you watch your teenager for these common reactions to a traumatic event:

• Change in eating or sleeping habits.
• Acting out in an aggressive or inappropriate manner.
• Attention-seeking behavior.
• Increased risk-taking.
• Deteriorating school performance or fear of attending school.
• Withdrawal from peer relationships.
• Physical signs of stress such as headaches or stomachaches.
• Nightmares and other sleep problems.
• Difficulty concentrating.
• Feeling of anger, hopelessness, anxiety, and depression.  While it is normal for a victim to move through different stages of feelings in order to recover from a painful experience, sometimes victims get stuck in on stage for an unusually long time. If this happens, you may want to seek professional help for your teen.

Take a Stand for Victims' Rights-

• Make sure your CrimeWatch group looks out for victims of crime by offering practical help and accompanying victims to court.
• Celebrate National Crime Victims Rights Week in April of each year.  This year it will be held the week of  April 23-29, 2009.  Talk to your school about marking the event
• Send a letter to local media asking them to feature victims' rights.
• Find out what laws your state has passed to address victims' rights.  Write to your state senator or representative if you think more needs to be done.

For  more information you may contact -

• National Organization for Victim Assistance (NOVA) www.trynova.org
• National Center for Victims of Crime www.ncvc.org
• Indianapolis Police Department Victim Assistance Unit at 327-3331.  

A special thanks to the National Crime Prevention Council and the International Society of Crime Prevention Practitioners for the above tips.

For More Information and Tips
Contact the Citywide office at 327-3781 P1527@indygov.org, or your District Specialist.