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CRIME PREVENTION

Prevention Partners

Crime Prevention is an important part of the mission of Neighborhood Watch. We all deserve a safe place to live; however, the police cannot accomplish this goal alone. We all must join forces to create safer neighborhoods.

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This section will give you tools to help fight crime in your neighborhood.

 

Neighborhood Watch and the Fresno Police Department work closely to provide tools that can help make your neighborhood a safer place to live and raise your family.

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The Fresno Police Department is divided into 5 Districts. Each has a Community Service Officer who works closely with Neighborhood Watch groups. The Community Service Officers are considered crime prevention specialists.

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Call and get acquainted with the CSO assigned to your part of town. Invite them to your Neighborhood Watch meetings. Talk to him about crime trends or problem areas in your neighborhood or ask them for advice about how to reduce crime on your block. They are here to serve you!

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Our community is built on the strength of our residents. You are the eyes and ears of law enforcement. Neighborhood Watch groups allow residents to help in the fight against crime and is an opportunity for communities to bond through service. If you are interested in starting or joining a Neighborhood Watch group in your area, see the below contacts for your policing district:

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Community Service Officers

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CSO Christina Hoemberg
Zone 1: Southwest

Christina.hoemberg@fresno.gov

559-621-6110

Community Services Officer Christina Hoemberg has served the Southwest District since August, 2021 and has quickly found her niche in ENGAGEMENT with the community. Working closely with community members, local organizations, and Fresno Police Department Units, Christina applies energy and creative thinking to bring people together and make positive relationships happen.

 

Of the many activities Christina organizes, the recent 2022 Santa’s Village reached nearly 1350 citizens

and suppliers. Activities included photos with Santa/Mrs. Claus, as well as other characters, gifts, hot chocolate, hand dipped hot dogs, giant cookies and kettle corn.

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CSO Danny Guzman
Zone 2: Central

Danny.Guzman@fresno.gov

559-621-6244

Defined by his commitment to community and family, Navy Veteran Danny Guzman serves the Central Policing District as their Crime Prevention CSO. Danny's fourteen years in the Navy's Military police, followed by a role as a health care supervisor provided great training in customer service, problem

solving and conflict resolution.  

 

Since joining the Fresno Police Department. Danny has nearly doubled the size of his Neighborhood

Watch members/groups and is focused on education, empowerment and engagement of many more in years to come.   

 

Father to 3 sons, Danny and wife Maricruz enjoy road trips, sports, and cheering 49'ers, Giants and

Lakers on to well-deserved victories.

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CSO BethWicklander
Zone 3: Southeast

Elizabeth.wicklander@fresno.gov

559-621-6308

Beth Wicklander, a 30 year veteran of the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office-Bureau of

Investigation, joined the FPD three years ago as Southeast District Crime Prevention CSO. Focused and detail oriented, Beth's background in Technical, Legal document and Investigative support lends itself well to her new role. Her passion is community education, and Beth pursues this angle of the FPNW mission with an unparalleled conviction.

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Married, mother of two, and fan of sports, Beth spends her spare time reading and hanging out with her 5 rescue dogs.    

 

Beth says you can NEVER have too many dogs or too many active FPNW groups!

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Senior CSO Kendall Cardoza
Zone 4: Northeast

kendallann.cardoza@fresno.gov

559-621-6425

Kendall Cardoza joined the Fresno Police Department as a Community Services officer in November of 2021. Recognizing Kendall’s focus and energy, the PD quickly promoted her to Crime Prevention Specialist, and then again to Community Services Officer II. Kendall formerly served as an animal control officer as part of an investigative team handling animal neglect and cruelty cases.

 

An energizing force in the community, Kendall concentrates on EDUCATION for the betterment of the community, and also runs a non-profit to raise funds and awareness for ALS. Her passions are helping people and building community!

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CSO Marily Rendon
Zone 5: Northwest

Marily.Rendon@fresno.gov

559-621-6530

Marily Rendon of the Northwest Policing district is closing in on two years as that district's Crime

Prevention CSO. Marily's choice to join the PD was an inevitable one, as she tells us that she always

knew that she'd be an officer someday.

 

Having lived most of her life in the valley, Marily considers herself a native and has dug into the

community with the enthusiasm that only comes with a strong Valley identity. Marily's passion for

community translates into passion for engagement as she parlays interest and commitment into new

NW groups. 

 

Marily is just a minute away from completing her Bachelor's degree in criminology, and plans on

applying this education to further her career with the FPD. Between work and studies, Marily enjoys

watching and cheering her younger brother at his soccer games and hunting for bargains!

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Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design or CPTED (pronounced sep-ted) suggests that the design of buildings, landscaping and outdoor environments can either encourage or discourage crime. CPTED attempts to minimize crime and the fear of crime by reducing criminal opportunity and fostering positive social interaction among the users of a space.

CPTED defined

The proper design and effective use of the built environment can lead to a reduction in the fear of crime and the incidence of crime, and to improvement in the quality of life. The three elements of CPTED are Territoriality, Surveillance and Access Control.

 

When used together, these elements strengthen total premise security and personal safety.

Territoriality

Territoriality is a persons' desire to protect territory that they feel is their own and have a certain respect for the territory of others. The extent to which someone will defend territory depends on his or her personal investment in or responsibility for that property. For example, a homeowner is likely to risk his/her life to defend his home against an intruder who is threatening their spouse or child.

 

Here are some considerations for clearly defining your property.

  • Is my property being used as a short cut?

  • Does my property ever have an unkempt appearance?

  • Are there seldom-used parts of my property where people loiter?

Surveillance

Criminals do not want to be seen. To defend your property you must be able to see any illegal acts taking place. Placing physical features, activities and people in ways that maximize the ability to see what is going on discourages crime.

 

Answering the following questions could help you evaluate the visibility of your home or business.

  • Does landscaping obscure the view to my property from neighboring properties?

  • Are all entrances, exits and parking areas illuminated?

  • Are there areas around doors or windows where a person could hide?

Access Control

Properly located entrances, exits, fencing and lighting can direct both foot and automobile traffic in ways that discourage crime. Access Control denies or restricts access to a crime target, and it increases the perceived risks of the offender by controlling or restricting their movement.

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These factors can help you control access to your property:

  • Can people trespass on my property without being seen by others?

  • How many entrances and exits are there to my property?

  • Do people access my property in ways other than intended?

Prevention strategies

  • Design space to increase natural surveillance.

  • Provide clearly marked transitional zones that indicate movement from public to semi-private to private space.

  • Devalue the perceived benefit of burglarizing your home by keeping valuables out of sight.

  • Deny easy access to your home by locking all doors and windows.

  • Maintain your property well; keep lawns mowed, hedges trimmed and your home in good repair.

 

Crime decreases if the opportunity to commit crime is reduced or eliminated. CPTED works by eliminating criminal opportunities in and around your property. This can result in your property being a less appealing target. Lack of maintenance tends to make people feel unsafe and feel that undesirable behavior occurs here.

 

The Police Department encourages its community members to do their part to establishing a safe and secure environment by incorporating these three basic elements into their security practices.

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We can help!

CPTED or a "security survey" is a service offered for local residential and commercial properties. Officers can conduct an informal survey to help you assess your property. To schedule a security review of your property, please submit a request for a Neighborhood Watch Security Survey.

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