The Ocala Police Department Crime Prevention mission is to enable people to create safe and more caring communities by addressing the causes of crime and violence and reducing the opportunities for crime to occur.  We offer a variety of crime prevention programs and services to meet your crime prevention needs.  The Crime Prevention division offers programs such as Neighborhood Watch meeting year round, community safety presentations, various activities for children, including summer programs.  Programs in crime prevention are available in a wide variety of subject areas.  Crime Prevention Officers, including citizen volunteers, present programs on request and attend special events held in Marion County and the City of Ocala. All of the programs are presented FREE of charge to public and private groups, and are tailored to the specific audience, schedule permitting.

We endeavor to control crime and the fear of crime through various methods involving citizens, community groups, civil agencies, criminal justice agencies, and the environment through CPTED. CPTED is the acronym for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. CPTED is defined as "the proper design and effective use of the built environment that can lead to a reduction in the fear and incidence of crime and an improvement in the quality of life." CPTED addresses crime problems through controlling the environment. The goal of CPTED is to reduce opportunities for crime that may be inherent in the design of structures or in the design of neighborhoods. The goal is accomplished through the involvement of CPTED trained law enforcement officers in the planning, development, and design review of community projects.  CPTED impacts each citizen by increasing safety, promoting secure environments and improving the appearance of neighborhoods and public amenities. CPTED improves existing services by working with neighborhoods, businesses, community groups and law enforcement.

Neighborhood Watch groups are neighbors watching out for other neighbors during times when criminal activity would most likely occur, and reporting suspicious activity to police.  A police officer patrolling your neighborhood may not recognize a stranger in your yard, but your neighbors would. Neighbors know who you are and the type of car you drive. They may be the first to notice a burglar at your window or door, or a strange car in your driveway.

Contact the Ocala Police Department Crime Prevention Office for a FREE CPTED survey of your business or residence or to coordinate a Neighborhood Watch group in your community.
(352) 873-3776.