Crime Prevention
Crime prevention is a lifestyle – a pattern of behaviors aimed at reducing the threat of crime. The Pleasanton Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit works to empower the community through education. Using presentations, social media, city-wide campaigns and outreach programs, crime prevention officers hope to lower your risk of becoming a victim.
The following services are offered free of charge and include presentations on personal safety, business security, home security and much more.
- Operation Identification
- Vehicle Security
- Bike Theft Prevention
- Vacation Watch
- Neighborhood Watch
- Citation sign offs
- Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED)
- Identity Theft
- Surveillance Camera Registry
- Terrorism Liaison Officer (TLO)
Crime Prevention Resources
Along with the Pleasanton Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit, there are many organizations and businesses that provide vital crime prevention information.- Federal Trade Commission (FTC) – Federal agency to protect consumers from unfair business practices and fraud. Good place to learn scam prevention and they maintain the Do Not Call Registry.
- National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) – Provide materials on almost every crime prevention topic.
- Safe Kids Worldwide – Everything you need on child safety, from choking hazards and safety seats to bike riding and special needs.
- National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) – All traffic-related safety information. Good for vehicle theft prevention, distracted driving and all other driving-related concerns.
- National Bike Registry – Bike theft prevention and registry.
- Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) – Partnership between the FBI and National White Collar Crime Center to accept/investigate internet crime
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – Source for information on human trafficking, cybercrime and terrorism
- Ready.gov – For all things disaster. Prepare with readiness checklists, kits and plans.
- Stay connected – The key to crime prevention is staying informed. Pleasanton PD wants to connect with you: choose a social media platform that suits you best in our Connect With Us banner.
Home Security
Given enough time and concealment, any level of home security can be bypassed. Since the majority of home break-ins are crimes of opportunity, prevent many of them by reducing these opportunities. Home safety should start with the basics, followed by additional steps that meet a family’s specific needs.
- Alarm system. Alarms are the number one deterrent to a residential burglary (home break-in).
- Close doors and windows and always use the locks.
- If you have a trusted neighbor who is home during the day, make sure they know who belongs at your house and can recognize suspicious activity. Consider joining Neighborhood Watch.
- Going away? Find a trusted person to house sit for you. Almost every burglar knocks on the front door first to see if anyone answers. Consider asking Pleasanton Police for a Vacation Check.
- Do not keep large amounts of cash or jewelry in a residence, or even suggest to anyone that such valuables might be there. Consider a safe deposit box.
- Keep a current, itemized list of your serialized property. You will need to provide this information to the Police and your insurance company in the event of a theft. Consider Operation Identification.
- Call the Crime Prevention Unit and ask for a security C.P.T.E.D. (Crime Prevention through Environmental Design) survey of your home to see what safety measures are recommended.
Identity Theft
Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal identifying information, without your permission, to commit fraud or other crimes. Your name, Social Security number and credit card information are highly sought after by criminals. They use this information to open accounts, make purchases and withdraw money. You may not find out about the theft until you review your credit card statement or are contacted by a debt collector. While some victims can resolve their problems quickly, others must spend their own money and countless hours repairing damage to their good name and credit record. There are steps you can take to lower your chances of becoming a victim of identity theft. Contact Pleasanton Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit or visit the Crime Prevention Resource Page for more.Police Investigation of Identity Theft
- The Pleasanton Police Department investigates cases of identity theft where goods or services were obtained within the city limits of Pleasanton.
- If your information is used elsewhere, we will take reports for Pleasanton residents and forward the follow-up investigation to the jurisdiction(s) where your information was compromised and/or used.
- It is the responsibility of the other law enforcement agencies to investigate identity theft that occurs within their jurisdictions.
Victims of Identity Theft
- Place a fraud alert or security freeze on your credit report. This can help prevent an identity thief from opening any more accounts in your name.
- Contact all creditors immediately. Get replacement cards with new account numbers for your accounts that have been used fraudulently. Carefully monitor your mail, credit card bills and your credit report for evidence of new fraudulent activity.
- If you have had checks stolen or bank accounts set up fraudulently, report it to your financial institution and put stop payments on any outstanding checks. Have the bank cancel your checking and savings accounts and obtain new account numbers.
- If your ATM/Debit card has been stolen or compromised, get a new card, account number and password. Do not use your old password and be sure to create a strong password.
- Notify the Postal Inspector if you suspect an identity thief has filed a change of address with the post office or has used the mail to commit credit or bank fraud.
- Call the Social Security Administration to report fraudulent use of your social security number. As a last resort, you might consider asking for a new number. The SSA may issue you a new number if after trying to resolve the problems brought on by identity theft, you continue to experience problems. This option can create other problems and should be carefully considered. Also order a copy of your Earnings and Benefits Statement and check it for accuracy.
- You may need to change your driver’s license number if someone is using yours as identification on bad checks. Put a fraud alert on your license. Fill out the DMV’s complaint form to begin the fraud investigation process.
Megan’s Law
In 1995, a convicted child molester was arrested for the murder and rape of seven year-old Megan Kanka in a New Jersey suburb. The offender lived across the street from Megan’s home; however, the police department was prohibited from disclosing the presence of this child molester. At this time, the law did not allow the release of sex offender information to the public. The law was changed in 1996, when President Clinton signed “Megan’s Law” to allow for the release of information about sex offenders.
Megan’s Law in Pleasanton
The Pleasanton Police Department regularly updates offender information and conducts annual registrations with every sex offender residing in the Pleasanton community.
- Among other mandates, sex offenders are required to update their registration, name and vehicle information within five working days of their birthday each year.
- They are also required to notify local law enforcement within five days if they move. If a registered sex offender fails to comply with this law, a warrant is sought through the Alameda County District Attorney’s office and an arrest can be made.
Megan’s Law Website
- In 2005 the California Department of Justice implemented a free website, accessible to the public, where information about registered sex offenders in California can be obtained.
- The Megan’s Law site will provide you with access to persons required to register in California as sex offenders.
- Specific home addresses are displayed on many offenders.
- The site displays the last registered address reported by the offender.
- Additional offenders are listed by ZIP Code, city and/or county.
- Information on some offenders is not included on the site, as deemed by a judge.
Information on sex offenders outside California can be found at www.familywatchdog.us.
If you should have any questions or comments regarding Megan’s Law or this website please contact Sgt. Roy Gamez by phone at (925) 931-5100.
Neighborhood Watch
- Prevent crime in neighborhoods through a partnership with the Pleasanton Police Department.
- By joining efforts with neighbors and the police, the Pleasanton community can help fight crime in the community before it begins.
- Residents are trained to recognize and report suspicious activities in their neighborhoods and throughout the community.
- To recognize suspicious behavior residents’ first need to know what is “normal” on their street. Gathering and exchanging information with your neighbors will help identify unusual activity.
To form or join a Neighborhood Watch group, contact the Crime Prevention Unit.
- An Officer will attend the first meeting to help explain the program, address any neighborhood concerns and to encourage involvement.
- Officers provide information about crime trends in your neighborhood, brochures on crime prevention and discuss ways to be safe.
National Night Out
To thank our dedicated Neighborhood Watch groups, the Pleasanton Police Department participates in National Night Out. Registration is closed for 2024.
- A coast-to-coast celebration of Neighborhood Watch takes place the first Tuesday night in August of each year.
- Neighborhood Watch groups of all sizes host block parties, ice cream socials, kid’s parades and potlucks.
- The Pleasanton Police Department (supported by the Livermore-Pleasanton Fire Department, City Council, and the California Highway Patrol) visit registered parties in full force.
- First responders enjoy this opportunity to sit down with those they serve.
Personal Safety
Your chance of being a victim of violent crime is minimal, but reducing the chance of becoming a victim is vitally important. The Pleasanton Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit provides thorough personal safety presentations by request. Below are a few quick strategies for staying safe:
- Never let anyone into your home that you don’t know. If someone comes to your door for help, offer to call 911 for them – do not let them in.
- Consider a dog for protection and as a deterrent against home burglary.
- If anyone bullies, threatens, or annoys you for any reason, call the police. Don’t wait for the situation to get violent.
- Keep firearms properly secured. Pleasanton PD offers gun locks to residents free of charge.
- Keep your car full of gas and in good condition.
- Program the Pleasanton Police Department’s phone number (925) 931-5100 into your cell phone. Calling 911 will connect you with the Pleasanton Police Department only when you are in the City limits and not near a freeway.
- Don’t park at night in poorly lit areas or where there are people loitering.
- If you are being followed, go to a safe place open to the public and call 911. You can always come to the Pleasanton Police Department. Someone is here 24/7 to help.
- In a robbery, give up valuables. They can be replaced.
- Resist being kidnapped by yelling loudly or causing a commotion and refuse to be moved. Victims are almost always in a worse situation if they are further sequestered or transported away from a primary crime scene.
- Travel in groups. The saying “there’s safety in numbers” is true.
- Be aware of what’s going on around you. This is the most important safety tip and unfortunately the most overlooked.
- If you must meet strangers, do so in a public place, with others around. Make sure someone knows where you are going. Always bring your cell phone.
- Always trust your instincts. If any person or situation makes you uncomfortable, it is for a good reason.
Surveillance Camera Registry
Surveillance footage can be useful in investigations, which is why the Pleasanton Police Department asks residents and businesses to register their surveillance cameras.
Knowing where security cameras are installed around Pleasanton can help us solve cases and lead to the conviction of suspects who are caught on video. This surveillance camera registry system is voluntary. By registering your surveillance camera(s), your information will be shared only with law enforcement personnel and does not permit the Pleasanton Police Department direct access or use of your surveillance system.
If a crime occurs in your neighborhood, your surveillance video could be the vital piece of evidence in an investigation. If your system is registered with us, Pleasanton Police Department detectives may ask you to share relevant surveillance video from a particular date and time. To help deter criminals and keep our city safe, register your system today.
If you have any questions or would like to update your information, please call (925) 931-5100.
Terrorism Liaison Officer
The Pleasanton Police Department (PPD) has established the Terrorism Liaison Officer (TLO) program to facilitate the flow of information between the members of the department and the homeland security community. The TLO is someone who serves as an information conduit between members of the public safety community, public/private sector, citizenry and the United States Government, in the fight against terrorism.
To prevent terrorism by effectively sharing information aimed at disrupting terrorist’s operational capability and addressing the underlying causes associated with the motivational component; to protect the public and critical infrastructure by leveraging private sector resources and hardening targets; to pursue terrorists and those criminal enterprises that support them; and, to prepare the citizenry and the city government for consequences associated with terrorist operations against the city.