Crime Prevention

Crime Prevention:  The anticipation, recognition, and appraisal of crime risk and the initiation of action to remove or reduce it.

We anticipate that people will break the law. It is incumbent upon all of us to take preventive measures for preventing crime. Most crime is a crime of opportunity. If you take away the opportunity (close and lock doors and windows, do not leave valuable items in plain view) crime decreases.

Our crime prevention programs provide usable information on risk and fear reduction. Prevention also includes addressing community deterioration and changing the environment of the neighborhood to improve the quality of life.

Our crime prevention office promotes joint enterprise with private industry and community groups. We recognize the need to form partnerships that will encourage the community to grow and help support our crime prevention programs. 

Crime prevention acts as a community liaison and conduit for problem solving and prevention. We rely on community involvement. If you are interested in getting involved in any of the following programs, please email Crime Prevention.

Neighborhood and Business Watch 

Community Law Enforcement Academy 

Educational Materials

We have a variety informational materials on many topics such as Sexual Assault, Neighborhood Watch, Identity theft, Burglary, and others in the form of pamphlets, videos, and flyers. Contact Crime Prevention to see if we have what you need. Some information is available on line through the Safe State website. 

Want to be in the know?

Crime prevention, with community support, offers information on a regular basis to the community.

At Your Service –

Published weekly in The Reporter.

Vacaville CrimeFighter - 

This is a quarterly publication distributed via The Reporter and created by CRIMEFIGHTERS and is available at City Hall and other places in town. View the current issue.

Ewatch -

This free, bi-monthly e-newsletter is automatically emailed to those who subscribe to the service. This publication includes tips, events, class information and crime trends. View the most recent issue of E-Watch now!

Dispute Resolution Service (Mediation)

Mediation is a voluntary process by which people meet together with a neutral mediator(s) and discuss ways to resolve differences. Mediation is an informal, structured discussion. Both parties are given the opportunity to speak without interruption. For more information, contact the Solano County Dispute Resolution Service at 707-422-5087.

Presentations

Request for presentations and training on safety and security issues is a growing part of crime prevention. Violence in the work place, personal safety, and child safety issues is just some of the topics presented. Request for information on police specialty or special area is forwarded to the appropriate sergeant or section.

Security Survey

Residential and commercial security surveys are conducted by the police department upon request by emailing Crime Prevention. The crime prevention officer does an analysis of both the exterior and interior of the building. The survey provides the requester with recommendations on “target hardening” and obtaining maximum security for the home or business. You may also download and take your own Residential Security Survey.

National Night Out (August 3, 2010)

Crime prevention is involved in many national campaigns. National Night Out has
always been a success in Vacaville. Whereas some communities put together a community celebration in a park, Vacaville has always felt that it is important to keep groups at home in their neighborhood, forging bonds with their neighbors.  

In order to encourage neighborhood participation, crime prevention organizes goodie bags with help from the community to give the groups to help promote their gathering. Police and fire personnel visit the neighbors on this night, going to parties that have registered with our department. 

National Night Out is always the first Tuesday in August. Download the application today!  Planning on closing down your block for your party? Don't forget to fill out the Block Closure Request. You must fill out and complete and turn in the petition three weeks in advance of closing down the block. Not all requests can be granted. For information on rules, read our Block Closure Guidelines.

Kid Fest (October 9, 2010)

Kids are always looking for something fun to do and parents are always looking for fun things to do with their kids.  Those two seemingly never-ending searches get a much needed solution at Vacaville Kid Fest 2010, set for October 9th at Andrews Park. Vacaville Kid Fest is a low, to no cost child safety and health event for the whole family to enjoy.  The focus of this year’s event is “Vacaville Kids-Our Partners in Safety”.  Families will be treated to dancing, singing, demonstrations and a variety of performances on the Creekwalk Stage and throughout the park.  Some of the main attractions each year are the Vacaville Fire Department’s Children’s Fire Muster, which teaches children and families about fire safety, the Vacaville Police Department’s crime prevention and child safety booths and NorthBay Hospital’s health screenings.  For more information, call Gretchen Ash at 707-449-5432 or Jill Childers at 707-449-5482.  Download a printable Kid Fest flyer here.

Contact Us:

You may email the Crime Prevention Unit or phone the office, (707) 449-5432. Office hours may vary.