EMPOWER YOUR COMMUNITY AS A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH BLOCK CAPTAIN | 5 STEPS ON HOW TO START A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH GROUP ON YOUR BLOCK

1.  Recruit and organize as many neighbors as possible. Talk to your fellow neighbors about starting a group. Smaller groups of 10-20 residences are more manageable to organize and work best. Select a Block Captain and Co-Captain.
2.  Fill out the Neighborhood Watch Program - Member Interest Form online. 
3. Create a communication plan. It is important to decide what type of communication will work for your watch group.
4. Identify areas of concern that are specific to your neighborhood.
5. Take Action: Hold meetings and events. Contact ESPD Crime Prevention Analyst to meet with your group at a time and place convenient for your watch group. It is essential for your group to work together with the police department to create a formidable crime-fighting team.

Crime Prevention Analyst
Sirena Boskovich | 310-524-2274 | sboskovich@elsegundo.org

THEFT FROM A VEHICLE
During the month of March, we saw an increase in vehicle being burglarized compared to the previous two months. Thieves are targeting vehicles where valuables are being left in plain view or vehicles that are being left unlocked. Valuables left in plain view generate motivation for thieves to quickly break a window or check the door handle and grab items such as designer sunglasses, garage door openers, shopping bags, and backpacks with the chance of it containing electronics. 

Here are a few reminders to help avoid being a victim:

• Always lock your vehicle
• Park in well-lit areas
• Don't leave personal information in your vehicle
• Avoid leaving valuables in your vehicle
• Utilize anti-theft devices
• Park your vehicle in a secured garage if possible
• Report suspicious behavior 

If your vehicle is burglarized, please report it to the Police Department immediately. 

THEFT BY DECEPTION
Have you ever received an email, text, phone call, or computer notification that seemed legitimate? Criminals are using various phishing tactics by sending out electronic messaging to obtain private information. They will give the impression that they are with a reputable company or organization and typically will choose an entity that the victim is actually involved with and trusts. There are several types of phishing attacks. A few common types are Standard Email Phishing, Spear Phishing, Smishing (SMS Phishing), and Pop-up Phishing. 

• Standard email phishing scams are the most common. Often times the email subject line will try and convey a sense of urgency. Thus, evoking an emotional response from the victim to open the email and click on a link that has been altered by the attacker. 
• Spear phishing targets a specific individual, business, or organization. For instance, the email may appear to come from the boss requesting sensitive company information.  
• Smishing (SMS Phishing) sends fraudulent messages urging recipients to click on a malicious link or share personal details.  
• Pop-up phishing can occur when a victim receives a computer virus notification indicating their computer has been hacked. For example, the notification may direct the victim to call a phone number. When they do so they are ultimately contacting the suspect(s) who convince the victims to withdraw cash from their banks. Often times a meeting is then arranged and the suspect responds to the victim's home and collects the thousands of dollars. 

Tips to help protect yourself:  

• Look for warning sign: Unsolicited messages, grammar and spelling errors, a sense of urgency, requests for personal information and suspicious links and attachments.
• Don't respond to a phishing email
• Never click on unknown links or attachments  
• Enable pop-up blockers
• Use two-factor authentication 
• Install antivirus software