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Vehicle Patrols
An outgrowth of the Exercise Club was the creation of the Southeast Seminole Heights Neighborhood Watch Vehicle Patrol with about 20 members
Prior to participating, each member underwent training by the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator and the local Community Policing officer.
All members of the patrol wore t-shirts that identified them as members of the patrol. Personal vehicles were used and each vehicle was provided with removable magnetic signs with the patrol logo that were placed on the sides and back. Each vehicle had at least one portable 1 million candlepower sportsman halogen spotlight. Initially 2 way radios were used to communicate with other patrol members. Later cell phones were used instead. Patrol members did not carry weapons
Groups of two residents would patrol the neighborhood at differing times, generally when prostitution activity was at its busiest. Patrol members checked in with the local Special Anti-Crime Squad before patrolling to ensure patrol members did not disrupt undercover activities. Patrol members would drive thoughout the neighborhood, focusing on hotspots. Person engaging in suspicious behavior, drug dealing or prostitution were reported to the police. Vehicles that appeared to be trolling for prostitutes were followed and tags written down. Lights were shined on prostitutes and people engaging in prostitution behavior until police arrived. Apparent abandoned or stolen vehicles were investigated, tag numbers and VIN numbers were called into to dispatch.
Shortly after the Southeast Seminole Heights patrol was created, residents of Hampton Terrace/ Old Seminole Heights created a patrol, for their area of Seminole Heights.
The patrols were very effective in disrupting the prostitution drug dealing activities.
Prior to participating, each member underwent training by the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator and the local Community Policing officer.
All members of the patrol wore t-shirts that identified them as members of the patrol. Personal vehicles were used and each vehicle was provided with removable magnetic signs with the patrol logo that were placed on the sides and back. Each vehicle had at least one portable 1 million candlepower sportsman halogen spotlight. Initially 2 way radios were used to communicate with other patrol members. Later cell phones were used instead. Patrol members did not carry weapons
Groups of two residents would patrol the neighborhood at differing times, generally when prostitution activity was at its busiest. Patrol members checked in with the local Special Anti-Crime Squad before patrolling to ensure patrol members did not disrupt undercover activities. Patrol members would drive thoughout the neighborhood, focusing on hotspots. Person engaging in suspicious behavior, drug dealing or prostitution were reported to the police. Vehicles that appeared to be trolling for prostitutes were followed and tags written down. Lights were shined on prostitutes and people engaging in prostitution behavior until police arrived. Apparent abandoned or stolen vehicles were investigated, tag numbers and VIN numbers were called into to dispatch.
Shortly after the Southeast Seminole Heights patrol was created, residents of Hampton Terrace/ Old Seminole Heights created a patrol, for their area of Seminole Heights.
The patrols were very effective in disrupting the prostitution drug dealing activities.