Ventura County Sheriff's Department

Many great duo teams have existed over the years including comedy twosomes, musical artists, actors and professional athletes. The Thousand Oaks Police Department also wants to add to this list by partnering with the people of Conejo Valley. The Thousand Oaks Police Department is seeking to expand its Business Watch and City Watch Programs by inviting business owners and residents to learn more about preventative crime measures, safety, and teaming-up together to successfully help prevent crime.

Through training and education, business owners will reap the benefits of learning to target harden their businesses; receiving timely crime information pertaining specifically to business owners, information on false alarms, training on employee theft, robbery and burglary prevention, identity theft and crime alerts. The strength of Business Watch is promoting and making a more secure business environment.

Communication is important, especially in a business environment, and we believe that the business community can also help educate the police department on what specific issues and concerns the business may have. By having a direct police contact, businesses will be able to immediately voice their concerns to the police department.

“Being the eyes and ears” for law enforcement not only works for Business Watch but the program also is successful for the numerous residential neighborhoods and neighborhood watch organizations in Thousand Oaks. City Watch, Business Watch’s sister program, is an e-mail approach on crime information, trends, press releases and attempt-to-locate flyers that empowers individuals and neighborhoods help prevent crime and assist the police department in solving crimes.

City Watch is also a means of two-way communication where residents can ask questions related to crime, traffic, and any police related matter. Many times people have requests or want additional information regarding criminal activity. Neighborhoods are alive with comings and goings of everyday life and each is unique and present its own quality of life concerns. City Watch provides residents access to the police by having a direct contact to voice their concerns or make inquiries.

Business owners who want to work toward a crime-free business can join Business Watch at TOPD.Bwatch@ventura.org and residents of the Conejo Valley can become informed and help to improve their neighborhoods by joining City Watch at TOCity.Watch@venturra.org

Location: Thousand Oaks

Date: May 26, 2011

Unit Responsible: Thousand Oaks Crime Prevention Bureau

Officer Preparing Release: Senior Deputy Jim DeSoto

Follow-up Contact: Senior Deputy Jim DeSoto (805) 371-8362

Date of Release: May 26, 2011

Approved by: Captain Bill Ayub