Business Watch

Business Watch is modeled after the successful Neighborhood Watch program. The neighborhood watch program was created in 1972 by the National Sheriff’s Association as a crime prevention program. Business watch is a program that allows a partnership between businesses, law enforcement and the community to which it serves. The business watch idea is straightforward-Take control of what happens in your business and the community around you to lessen your chances of becoming a victim. 

Through education and cooperation, an active Business Watch reduces and prevents crime throughout the community. Fundamental steps to a successful Business Watch are:

• Communication and understanding between law enforcement and business.
• Encourage interaction with other merchants in the area.
• Educate merchants to crime proof their own properties, watch over each other, and report any suspicious activities.
• Develop a communication line between merchants to quickly get out information about an incident, crime or suspicious activity.

A successful Business Watch area will gain confidence among businesses involved, create a great service or customer experience and a good relationship among law enforcement agencies. As with Neighborhood watch, Business Watch is a citizen-based program where each group determines how they will organize and communicate. Business Watch is not a vigilante group, and the Lakewood Police Department does not encourage citizens or business owners to expose themselves to personal risk to deter crime. Establishing a Business Watch program is not a guarantee that crime will not occur in your community.

The application for becoming involved is below. Once you submit your application, the business watch coordinator will contact you and provide some valuable information to help you get started. The application is for each business. If you have more than one business in your area that wants to get started, please have each business complete the application. 

Once the Business Watch program grows, the Lakewood Police Department will start providing quarterly updates and trends. Training on various topics will also be provided. 

Application