Getting Started

Contact neighboring businesses about Business Watch. You decide which businesses to contact. A "Watch" could be a couple of adjacent businesses, an office building or an entire commercial district. Survey your neighboring businesses to determine what are the major areas of concern.

Set up a meeting. Make sure it's a time that will be convenient for the majority of area business people; early morning or noon is probably best. Contact the Stockton Police Department's Community Services Section at 937-8208.

Hold the meeting. A representative from the Stockton Police Department will attend your meeting and discuss how Business Watch works. You will want to allow time for everyone to describe their particular crime concerns. At the meeting, packets of crime prevention information will be distributed.

Assemble information. Assemble information from participating businesses in the form of block map/e-mail addresses. Businesses can use these devices to quickly contact neighbors when trouble arises. When completed, the e-mail should be distributed to all members of the "Watch."

Organize a "kickoff" event. Invite the media and neighboring residents to celebrate the beginning of your crime prevention program. This lets the city know your district is getting tough on crime.

Take steps to maintain your Business Watch. Encourage Watch coordinators to use e-mail notifications regularly. This maintains regular contact and can often inform business people of non-crime related issues. Some business associations use e-mails to remind of monthly meetings or other events.

You need to. . .

Get to know the people who operate the neighboring businesses. These are your neighbors for eight or more hours a day. Making personal contact with your neighbors is the best way to get acquainted. Make an effort to introduce yourself to others in the neighborhood.

Watch and report. Report suspicious behavior to the Stockton Police Department immediately. Create an area map; it is a simple way to explain your location to the Stockton Police Department. Communicating by e-mail is an effective means of sharing information with other merchants. Should a problem develop, each merchant is responsible for e-mailing the group.

Secure your property. Sign up for a free security survey arranged by the Stockton Police Department. Your business will be checked for security weaknesses, and recommendations will be made on how to improve these conditions. Or, use the attached checkoff list (PDF).

Engrave your valuable office equipment. Use your tax identification number or California driver's license number. Engravers can be borrowed from the Community Services Section of the Stockton Police Department.

Aggressively advertise the fact that you have organized your business block. Post signs and stickers which state that your block of businesses is organized and will watch and report suspicious activities.

Follow this link for a page concerning tips to avoid a business robbery and what to do if you've been robbed or use this FLYER (PDF). to circulate to other businesses in your Business Watch group.

Trespassing, Loitering Problems, and Parking

Stockton Municipal Code, Chapter 5 - Public Welfare, Morals and Policy, Part V, Miscellaneous Welfare, Morals and Policy Regulations, Division 21. Trespassing, Loitering, Parking or Operating Motor Vehicles on Posted Property. Follow this link for sign specifications (PDF).

Vehicle Code Concerning - Private Parking Facilities (link to DMV Vehicle Code page)

Notice to Department of Justice (link to DMV Vehicle Code page)

Removal from Private Property (link to DMV Vehicle Code page)

Parking for the Disabled (link to DMV Vehicle Code page).

For the City's disabled parking specifications, follow this link (PDF).

For more information, call the Stockton Police Department's Community Services Section at (209) 937-8208.