Community Policing Van
Courtesy of Sheboygan Chrysler

If any group, business or individual would be interested in any of the items listed below please contact the Community Policing Unit.

Community Policing Duties & Projects

·        WACOP (Wis. Association of Community Orientating Policing) – This State organization develops and trains in problem solving and a resource for the exchange of ideas.  State conference is held annually. 

·      Triad / S.A.L.T. Council – Senior citizens and law enforcement working together to address issues that concern senior citizens in Sheboygan County such as crime prevention, health and safety education and quality of life issues. .  Projects that Triad sponsor include: Vehicle Winterization, File for Life, Home Preservation, Court House Greeter Program and distribution of educational material. 

·      Neighbor Against Drugs – This program is introduced into neighborhoods where a drug house is present and empowers neighbors to work together to force the drug house to close down or move.  This program has been highly successful cleaning up dozens of neighborhoods throughout the city.  Drug training and education is also part of the program through neighborhood meetings, public presentations and the media.  Another positive outcome of this program is that it brings neighbors closer together and getting along.  Neighbors Against Drugs has received State and National recognition.  Two programs that have grown from this popular program are Employers Against Drugs and Students Against Drugs. 

·      Citizen Academy – This is a 10-week class designed to educate the general public what police training and to give citizens a better understanding of a police officers job so citizens can better relate to the difficulties officers face.  Instruction is given through both classroom lectures and hands-on practical exercises.  A total of 18 subjects are covered.  The goal is to build community support for police and academy participants become advocates of the police department. 

·      Sheboygan Countywide Crime Stoppers – The purpose of crime stoppers is to provide people with information that would help solve a crime to give that information anonymously.  In return these citizens are eligible for a cash reward.  Citizens from throughout the county run this board.  Money is raised through fund raising events and donations and is used to promote the program and pay out rewards.  In 2007 crime stoppers will be sponsoring a “Crime Prevention and Safety Fair” in October and a “Walk Against Crime” on National Night Out. 

·      Quick $50 – A spin off from the crime stoppers program directed at high schools and middle schools.  This program is designed to provide students and school staff more incentive to provide information about drugs, alcohol and weapons that re in school.  Information that results in the confiscation of an illegal item can result in a $50 reward to the tipster.

·      Sheboygan Neighborhood Pride – This committee oversees the operation and finances of various projects, such as Neighbors Against Drugs, Employers Against Drugs and Students Against Drugs. 

·      Fleetwatch – A program that is countywide, that involves city/county entities and public service companies working with law enforcement.  These entities are trained to identify and report crimes in progress or suspicious circumstances.  They are also given descriptions of suspects and/or vehicles that were involved in a recent crime so they become the extend eyes and ears of law enforcement.  They can also help in looking for missing adults or children. 

·      COPS Team – This group has representation on it from individuals of various agencies and city departments.  They work together to solve a wide range of issues within the City of Sheboygan.  The COPS Team meets on a “when needed” basis. 

·      Retail Crime Prevention Group – This involves representatives from various retail stores in the area that get together to exchange information about current retail theft problems and to educate on techniques to overcome these issues.  In addition discussion and training involves employee theft prevention, background checks and store security. 

·      Sheboygan Police Website – Maintaining and posting information on the website.  Information on the site includes a description of all the specialty units within the police department, services that are provided, contact information, statistics as well as safety tips and community announcements.  In 2006 the site had 18,072 visitors, or 1,506 per month. 

·      Requests for Talks & Presentations – During the year the Community Policing Unit honors dozens of requests for presentation and a variety of topics.  These presentations are given to public and private groups, civic groups, church groups and schools.  Topics presented include: personal safety, identity theft, illegal drugs, street smarts, stranger danger, safer seniors, scams & frauds, telemarketing scams, gun safety, making right choices, as well as others.  Presentations can run from 30 minutes to 2 hours. 

·      VARDA – The installation of the VARDA alarm to assist in the investigations.  Training has also been provided to the patrol officers so they are also able to install these alarms as needed. 

·      Surveillances Cameras – The installation of these cameras are to assist in investigations.  These include hidden cameras as well as infrared cameras. 

·      Problem Solving – Numerous requests are made by citizens, groups, other officers and city representatives to assist in finding solutions to ongoing problems that effect the peace, safety and quality of life for individuals, neighborhoods or businesses.  Problem solving often includes the use of outside resources, departments & agencies.  Problem solving can be obtained through mediation, warnings or arrests. 

·      Neighborhood Watch – An organized group of neighbors that work together for the common goal of making their neighborhood a safer place to live.  Neighborhood Watch groups are encouraged to select a watch captain and to determine issues that are in their area.  Guidance is provided by a police representative to help the groups get started, provide resources, help in problem solving and training.  Watch groups are encouraged to manage themselves. 

·      Wisconsin Wins – In cooperation with the Family Resource Center and the Wisconsin Wins Program, we assist in checking dozens of retail outlets in the city if tobacco sales are made to minors.  With the help of youth volunteers, these businesses are checked.  The goal is to educate businesses and encourage them not to sell tobacco products to minors through a reward system set up by the Wins program.   

·      Alarms – To maintain a record of security type alarms that are activated at Sheboygan businesses and residents and to enforce licensing of these locations for an alarm permit.  Also to fine businesses that have an excess amount of false alarms without having the problem repaired.   

·      Retail Hotline – A public service provided to area businesses to advise them of problems with bad check writers, scams and robberies.  This information is passed along to over 140 retailers via fax.  Retailers also are encouraged to pass along information about bad check writers so it can be shared with other retailers. 

·      Robbery Training – This training is provided to area financial institutions and businesses on what to expect and what to do during a robbery.  Training is done at the business for all employees.  Employees are told to react during the mock robbery as they would during an actual robbery.  The mock robbery is followed by discussion and training tips.  Training is very realistic. 

·      Security Surveys & Security Checks – Surveys are an in depth examination of a business property to point out weaknesses in their security.  This examination involves going on-site and walking the property with management or supervisors as well as understanding their concerns.  Often photos and sketches are taken of the property.  This information is then compiled into a formal report of recommendations that is forwarded to the company for their consideration and use.  Security Checks are not as detailed as a Security Surveys and are focused on a specific issue rather than a total property survey. 

·      Media – Both officers often work with local media through interviews and articles covering safety and crime prevention topics.  Also to announce police related community events. 

·      Lighting Projects – A joint program between Aliant Energy and the Sheboygan Police Department.  This program is developed to help light up dark areas to provide more security.  Any citizen that wishes to sponsor an alley light can have a light installed at the location of their choosing for a monthly fee paid to Aliant. 

·      Sponsored Public Events – Participation in area events such as the County Fair, Safety days at the Mall, local festivals, school & civic group sponsored events.  Booths are often set up providing information, pamphlets, workbooks and promotional items to visitors of the event as well as being present to answer questions from visitors at the event. 

·      Police Department Tours – Both officers honor numerous requests every year from groups to take tours of the police department.  Most requests are from scout troops and school groups. 

·      Meal Site Talks – Regular presentations are made to the meal site at the Senior Citizen Center annually.  Topics revolve around safety issues for senior citizens.  This program is popular with seniors because this provides them an opportunity to express concerns to police in an informal setting. 

·      Committees – CPU officers are often requests to join or belong to outside organizations as a representative of the Sheboygan Police Department.  Some of these long-term committees include: Sheboygan County Coalition Against Domestic Abuse, Tobacco Free Coalition, Dementia Care Network, Healthy Sheboygan County 2010, AODA Committee and the Prevention Policy Board.  Over the years we have been part of several short-term committees designed to resolve immediate issues.

"People should realize a pair of good parents is worth a thousand teachers, preachers, psychiatrists and policemen." Author Unknown