Neighborhood Watch
Neighborhood Watch (NW) is an association of neighbors who contribute to the safety and security of your neighborhood. This program is an effective method of crime prevention that educates residents in the principles of deterrence's, detection, and the reporting of crimes and suspicious activity.
Talk to your fellow neighbors about starting a NW Program in your neighborhood. Then contact the Crime Prevention Unit to schedule a date, time, and location to meet with you and your nights. Plan up to one hour for the meeting. At the meeting you will receive information regarding the NW program, how to make your neighborhood a less desirable target to potential criminals, crime statistics from your areas, personal safety, Operation Identification, communication tools of Citizen Observer, Community Watch, and celebrating National Night to Unite. At the end of the meeting a block captain and co-captain will need to be selected by the neighborhood. Next NW signs will be posted in your neighborhood community by the public works departments.
Law Enforcement Exploring
Youth have an opportunity to learn more about the field of law enforcement with the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office by participating the Law Enforcement Explorer Post #2. Youth ages 14-21 may be accepted into the program and they have an opportunity to participate in several classes relating to law enforcement. The explorers also help with community events and certain assistance to the Sheriff's Office such as alcohol and tobacco compliance checks. Explorers have an opportunity to compete against other exploring posts on their knowledge, skills, and abilities of what they have learned at an annual Law Enforcement Exploring Competition.
Citizens Academy
Citizens have an opportunity to learn more about the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office by attending a Citizens Academy.
Topics include patrol procedures, criminal investigations, DWI intervention, problem oriented policing, juvenile crime, crime prevention, communications and 911. In addition to classroom training, you will be given tours of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office patrol station and the Law Enforcement Center along with an exciting opportunity to part in a simulated shoot or don’t shoot situations, learn about defensive tactics, and the opportunity to shoot a firearm in the range.
We also have a similar academy for youth that is usually held in the spring of the year.
Citizens Civil Defense Corps
If available, emergency services personnel are the best trained and equipped to handle emergencies, and you should use them. However, following a catastrophic disaster, you and the community may be on your own for a period of time because of the size of the area affected, lost communications, and unusable roads.
Citizen Civil Defense Corps training is designed to prepare you to help support police, fire, and medical personnel in the event of an emergency.
Citizens with different backgrounds of employment backgrounds from retired police and fire fighters to radio communications. There is a position for everyone during a disaster.
Volunteers Involved In Public Safety Unit (VIPS)
VIPS is a framework of initiatives with citizens’ involvement in partnership with the members of the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office and your community. Civilians are trained volunteers whom assist us with initiatives focusing on public safety, crime prevention, and community policing.
Our volunteers assist us in many capacities with the following initiatives:
- Community Affairs Officers
- Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
- Citizens Civil Defense Corps
- North Suburban Chaplain Corps
- Crime Prevention Education Programs and Services
- Community Events
- Public Safety Displays
- Neighborhood and Business Communications
- Citizen Observer
- Community Watch Communication System
- D.A.R.E Program
- School Resource Officers
- School Safety Patrol
- Law Enforcement Explorers
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Answering the Nation’s Call to Community Service
If available, emergency services personnel are the best trained and equipped to handle emergencies, and you should use them. However, following a catastrophic disaster, you and your community may be on your own for a period of time because of the size of the area affected, lost communications, and unusable roads.
CERT training is designed and promotes a partnering effort between emergency services and the people they serve. The goal is for emergency personnel to train members of neighborhoods, community organizations, or work places in basic response skills. CERT members are then integrated into the emergency response areas in their individual communities. Training consists of nine weeks of emergency preparedness.
Below are the topics covered during the nine week training session.
- Disaster Preparedness
- CERT Organization
- Fire Safety
- Light, Search and Rescue
- Disaster Psychology
- Disaster Medical Operations-Part 1
- Disaster Medical Operations-Part 2
- Terrorism
- Final Exercise / Graduation
This Program is available to all residents 18 years and older throughout the State of Minnesota. Classes are limited to 25 students. Equipment and materials will be provided at no charge, and you must be able to commit for the entire nine week session.
CURRENT CLASS INFORMATION:
- The next nine week training session will begin on April 4, 2012
- Class locations will alternate between Arden Hills and Vadnais Heights with the final exercise and graduation taking place in St. Paul.
- Completed applications should be submitted by March 16, 2012
If you are interested in receiving additional information or applying for this class, please call the CERT Training Coordinator at 651-266-7332.
Community Events
The Sheriff’s Office is involved in your community events. Check your community calendar for upcoming events. Personnel are on hand to answer questions about resources from the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office. The following are examples of services available to you.
Crime Prevention Education and Programs
If you're interested in any of these Community Opportunities, contact the Crime Prevention Unit at 651-266-7339.
