Tap Into Crime Reports, Disaster Preparedness in Manhattan Beach Via Neighborhood Watch

Community members who want to learn more about crime, crime prevention or disaster preparedness should attend a Manhattan Beach Neighborhood Watch Wednesday in the Joslyn Center Auditorium, 1601 Valley Drive, from 7-8:30 p.m.

Members of the city's police and fire departments will discuss disaster response plans and programs, and update residents on community crimes.

You needn't be a member of the city's Neighborhood Watch program to attend. However, you need to be a member of Neighborhood Watch to receive the group's regular emails detailing recent crime in the city, said Stephanie Martin of the Manhattan Beach Police Department Tuesday.

Chief of Police Eve R. Irvine will present information about crime in the community and offer tips for mobilizing neighbors to reduce the opportunity for crime. 

Another focus of the town hall-style forum will be to encourage citizens to take action to be prepared and ready to respond in the event of a natural or man-made disaster.

City officials will talk about the importance of the Map Your Neighborhood program during a disaster. Map Your Neighborhood is part of the city's Neighborhood Watch program.

Neighborhood Watch in Manhattan Beach got its start in 1980 when resident Charlotte Lesser spearheaded its launch. The program is operated by the Manhattan Beach Police Department; Officer Stephanie Martin is its lead officer.

To be part of Neighborhood Watch, a block needs to have a volunteer block captain. Then residents may join that block. As a member, your block captain disperses the email crime reports put out by the police department.

Membership in Neighborhood Watch enables residents to meet one another, form a network to fight against crime and become familiar with who belongs in the neighborhood, said Martin.

Orientation meetings for blocks and larger Neighborhood Watch groups are held to let members know what police do and don't want you to do as a Neighborhood watch member, she said.

People who attend the Wednesday night meeting will be able to visit with city staff, view displays and get information from the following organizations and programs: Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), animal control (part of the Manhattan Beach Police Department), Manhattan Beach Fire Department, Manhattan Beach Police Department, Neighborhood Watch, Map Your Neighborhood and More Prepared – Emergency Supplies.

Contact Officer Stephanie Martin, Neighborhood Watch public information officer, at (310) 802-5186 or (310) 802-5183 if you have questions.