To join the Home Park Citizen Patrol you must meet certain requirements: pass a background check, take a few classes, and do several ride-alongs.

A Citizen Patrol is a trained group of residents organized to increase the safety of their neighborhood. They patrol the streets in their neighborhood to provide a presence and report any incidents and problems to the police. They are non-confrontational and coordinate their activities with the police. The Citizen Patrol is the next step beyond a Neighborhood Watch.

The main purpose of a Citizen Patrol is to provide a visible presence on the streets in your neighborhood as a deterrent to any criminal activity. Having concerned residents on the streets actively watching what is going on in their neighborhoods sends a clear message to strangers in the neighborhood that crime will not be tolerated. Thieves, vandals and drug dealers do not wish to be observed, so the presence of law-abiding residents alone can help reduce crimes.

The second purpose of the Citizen Patrols is to report suspicious of illegal activities to the police. We do not have enough police officers to police every street in town, so the police rely on the residents of the area to inform them about crime incidents and suspects. These patrols provide timely information to the police which can help them apprehend criminals.

In addition, patrols provide an opportunity for citizens to participate in activities that improve their community and can provide a grass-roots organization that can react to other threats to their neighborhoods.

Basic Principals:

• Safety is the first priority!
• Be aware that people who commit crimes against others on the street typically use three things to their advantage -- isolation, surprise and intimidation.
• Be attentive to the happenings in your environment and be prepared with some possible responses.
• Trust your intuition about people and circumstances. Be flexible. Avoid or remove yourself from situations that you feel unsure about.

Duties and Responsibilities of a Citizen Patroller:

A Citizen Patroller represents his or her patrol and community by conspicuously patrolling an assigned area with the goal to observe and report any illegal or suspicious activity to the police. The safety of the patroller is paramount. Each patroller should conduct themselves in a professional and dignified manner. A patroller shall agree to abide by certain guidelines established for the safe and credible operation of each patrol. The following list of duties and responsibilities will help in understanding what is expected from each patroller.

Each patroller should:

• Sign and abide by the Citizen Patrol Volunteer Agreement, and Waiver.
• Go out on assigned patrols.
• Never confront anyone verbally or physically and never attempt to detain anyone or engage in chases, including 911 calls.
• Observe and report.
• Contact 911 when necessary.
• Serve as an official witness when necessary.
• When on patrol never carry anything that is or resembles a weapon (gun, knife, bat, taser, pepper spray, baton, etc).
• Accept responsibility for damage to or loss of any equipment received from your Citizen Patrol.
• Coordinate with your Citizen Patrol regarding patrol times, meetings and fund raising functions. It is understood that the various patrols will use procedures that work for them and that all patrols may not have identical procedures.
• Notify command staff of the Citizen Patrol if you have been arrested for criminal activity. Any such arrest may result in your suspension or dismissal from the Citizen Patrol.
• Must be at least eighteen years old.

When on patrol you should:

• Have a valid driver's license.
• Patrols will wear the designated identifying clothing, and Citizen Patrol photo ID issued by the Omaha Police Department.
• Not consumed alcohol that will impair your judgment the day of your patrol.
• Any vehicle you operate while on patrol should be properly maintained, licensed and insured.
• All patrols must carry a radio, and phone or other means of communication (Mobile Data Computer [MDC]) for contacting the police, and each other.

   
For additional information or an application to join our patrol, call the number listed on the Contact Us page, download the application from the files section below, or you can now apply online with our eApplication.