Why was Safer Crocker created?  

In response to recent crime in our community, we created Safer Crocker to create and manage a daily security patrol service. There are numerous benefits to having a single entity like Safe Crocker lead this effort:

 

• Having each household individually contract with a private security firm does not give flexibility to provide patrol services to the entire neighborhood

• A single legal entity greatly simplifies contracting with the private security firm

• A single entity gives us an opportunity to specify a contract which provides a direct connection between the level of funding and the number of patrol hours

 

Is Safer Crocker a Lakeshore Home Association (LHA) initiative?

No, Safer Crocker is independent of the LHA. Safe Crocker is working to collaborate with the LHA to the extent the bylaws allow.

 

Why did Safer Crocker adopt a donation model for funding?  

Allowing flexible contributions lets residents donate what they are willing and able to give.  Intervention Group Services (IGI) will provide services and be a resource to everyone in the community.

 

Are contributions tax-deductible? 

Not currently.  Safer Crocker is in the process of applying for 501(c)3 nonprofit status, which would allow contributions to be tax deductible.  Unfortunately, 501(c)3 approval process takes approximately one year and there is no assurance that we will be granted such status.

 

What is the purpose of the neighborhood patrol?  

The neighborhood patrol is intended to provide visual deterrence against crime in the patrol area. Our private security firm IGI will regularly patrol our streets and provide protective services to everyone in the area.  

 

Is my street covered by the neighborhood patrol?  

Check the current coverage area on the patrol info page to see if your street is covered.

 

What are the specific hours of coverage?  

Please join our e-mail list here to receive updates on the specific hours of coverage monthly.

 

Will you be offering household-specific services?  

In coordination with the private security firm, we may offer household-specific services such as vacation watch, and response to home alarms. Household-specific services may be limited to those who have contributed.

 

Are the patrol officers unarmed?  

Patrol officers will not carry firearms or tasers in accordance with the terms of the contract between Intervention Group and Safer Crocker. They may carry mace or batons if they are licensed, but Intervention Group and Safer Crocker have agreed that the officers will not carry batons at this time. Safer Crocker is not contemplating a move to armed patrols for the foreseeable future.

 

What interaction will the patrol officers have with residents or other persons in the patrol area?  

We intend the patrol officers to be part of the community.  As such, we expect the patrol officers to converse with members of the community on their daily rounds.

 

What are the rules of engagement should the patrol officer come across or be called to an incident?

The unarmed nature of the patrols mean that the patrol officers will not in general physically intervene but instead will observe at a safe distance, call the police if there is indication of criminal activity, and provide eyewitness and other evidence to the police. If there is a crime in progress where a person is being harmed or facing imminent harm, the patrol officer may choose to physically intervene if they judge it is safe to do so.

 

Have the patrols been effective at reducing crime?

Safer Rockridge has analyzed the impact of the patrols on burglaries and robberies in Rockridge with statistical modeling using over seven years of Oakland-wide, historical data up through October 2014. They estimated that burglaries and robberies are down by 30% relative to what would have been the case absent the patrols. While our own results may vary, we found these results compelling. Review Safer Rockridge crime reduction analysis.

 

How are you communicating with the community?

We encourage any interested members of the community to sign up for our mailing list which we use to provide funding updates and news about the patrols. Important updates will be posted to our website at safercrockerhighlands.org. We are also exploring the use of a phone tree for neighbors who may not be on-line. If you are interested in helping with this effort, please e-mail the organizers at safercrockerhighlands@gmail.com or call us at: ‪(510) 463-4508‬. Finally, we have participated and plan to continue to participate in community meetings on the topic of public safety.

 

Have you considered other crime prevention alternatives?

Prior to engaging a private security firm, we considered various alternatives including neighbor patrols and security cameras. The evidence provided by other neighborhoods led to the conclusion that patrols are the most effective as a crime deterrent. We may explore other alternatives in the future.

 

What kind of training do the private security firm officers receive?

Intervention Group security officers typically have several years of experience. Intervention Group provides additional training to sensitize the officers to issues specific to Crocker.

 

What about racial profiling?

The officers will not engage in profiling of any type. They will not stop or question persons on the basis of race or ethnicity. If they are called to an incident by a member of the community, their approach will be to observe at a safe distance. Police will be called if and only if there is indication of criminal activity.

 

If I have a concern or other feedback about the patrols, who do I contact?

Please contact Safer Crocker at safercrockerhighlands@gmail.com