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The Coon Rapids Community Watch Team is a program dedicated to public/police partnerships, designed to keep the community safe.
Sign up to be a Community Watch Team Member here.
Community Camera Program
When you join the Community Watch Team, you have the voluntary option to register the location of your residential or business security camera.
If you use an external video security system or a doorbell camera at your home or business, it could be a great opportunity to partner with police and look out for your neighbors!
This is a voluntary option for homeowners, renters, and business owners, that allows our officers to know where private cameras are installed in the city in case a crime occurs.
Through the program, our department collects addresses of homes and businesses that have video systems installed. If a crime occurs nearby and investigators believe video footage will help, our team then asks the camera owners if they are willing to share video footage from a specific time/date. Officers do not have direct access to anyone's camera. In order to access any video footage, our officers ask for permission from homeowners, who then decide if they are able and willing to share the video footage with police officers.
Camera addresses and homeowner/business information is maintained in a secure database, that the Coon Rapids Police Department has classified as non-public or confidential. You may ask to be removed from the Community Watch Team and/or the Community Camera Program at any time and have your information removed from the database.
Participants will be provided with a sticker that can be placed on their door or window to help deter crime and let people know you are a proud Community Watch Team member.
Register your video camera system when you sign up to be a Community Watch Team member.
Other Ways to Get Involved
Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Neighbors who know each other look out for each other. One effective way to prevent crime is to keep in regular contact with neighbors and stay observant so you can recognize what is typical for your neighborhood. Remember: there is no such thing as suspicious people, but there are suspicious behaviors and those suspicious behaviors should be reported to the police right away.
Community Crime Map
View the Community Crime Map to see crimes in the city so you can be informed and help share the information with neighbors.
Report a Crime Tip
If you see a crime in progress or need an officer response, always call 911 for both emergencies and non-emergencies. However, if you wish you report a crime tip online our online form will be sent directly to the police department. Submit your Crime Tip here through Crime Stoppers.
Stay "In the Know"
The police department shares a lot of information on Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for Police updates through email with our Notify Me system here.
Night to Unite
This national annual event is designed to get neighbors to get to know each other. Each year over 100 neighborhoods in the city get involved. Learn more here.
Join the Community Watch Team Today
We invite you to sign up for the Community Watch Team to receive resources and information to help your neighborhood. Tips on how to formally connect with your neighbors, tips on what is and what isn't suspicious activity, how to prevent crime and safety tips will be just some of the information you will gain by being a part of the team. And if you have an external video security system and sign up for our Community Camera Program, you may also choose to receive a sticker to place on your front door or window, noting that you are a proud Coon Rapids Community Watch Team member.