Olde Savannah Homeowners Association

Community Crime Watch

Community Crime Watch

Community Watch involves neighbors working with neighbors and the police to prevent crime. The Community Watch program is based on the concept of people looking out for one another and it effectively sends a message to potential criminals that someone is watching every move they make.

Our Community Watch area is defined as the ‘Olde Savannah neighborhood.’ To remain an ‘active’ Community Watch community, the neighborhood must conduct a minimum of two Community Watch meetings a year with a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Officer in attendance.

The Association President is the key contact with the police department’s Crime Prevention Specialists and Response Area Officers. Block captains assist the President in keeping the community informed.

Community Watch participants are the police department’s extra eyes and ears for reporting crime and helping neighbors. They help build pride and serve as a catalyst in efforts to address community concerns and solve problems. Participants are NOT asked to be vigilantes or to assume the role of the police.

Being a Nosy Neighbor

1. If you see an actual crime being committed, a suspected crime or a threatening situation, call 911.
2. Watch out for your neighbor’s home when they are away. Become familiar with who belongs and who doesn't and know your neighbor's vehicles.
3. Tell your neighbors and Block Captains when you’re going to be away so they can watch your home.
4. Engrave your property with your North Carolina driver’s license number and keep a written inventory of your property along with the serial numbers.

You may check the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department’s website at www.cmpd.org to obtain crime statistics for the community, or call the CMPD Crime Analysis Office at 704.336.4043.

Operation ID

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department STRONGLY recommends that you complete an inventory of the property inside of your home. Keep your records in a safe place and continue to update it when new items are purchased.

Engraving personal items is also recommended. Some burglars will avoid your home if they think that your valuables are marked. Often marked items are more difficult for criminals to sell. A more important reason to mark or engrave your property, however, is that these items are much more easily identified and returned to you when police recover them. When engraving, follow these tips:

Use your driver’s license number for engraving, and place a star (asterisk) after the last digit. (For example, NCDL 1234567*) DO NOT USE SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBERS! Mark the items in a prominent place that can be seen without taking anything apart. Keep a list of the engraved items. Keep this information in a locked fireproof box, if available.

As an added measure of protection, photograph or videotape items which cannot be easily engraved or that would effect the value if a mark were placed on it (i.e. silver, jewelry, etc.)

The Olde Savanah Homeowners Association owns six engravers. To borrow one, contact your block captain or the Association President.


Olde Savannah’s Community Watch Liaison:
Officer R.C. Gilbert
Pager: 704.518.0712
Phone: 704.567.9198
Email: rgilbert@cmpd.org

(Posted by Association President, Debi Edwards)