Community Programs

Neighborhood Watch Program

A group of citizens in a neighborhood may call a neighborhood watch meeting. Meetings may be held at Forest Acres City Hall or a designated house in that neighborhood. An apartment complex or condominium group may typically use their complex clubhouse. A Community Service Officer leads the group in introductions and a dialog of problems and concerns in the area. The Officer works along with the citizens to solve the problems in a realistic manner. Citizens are educated on how important it is to be aware of their surroundings, on how to report a crime and how to preserve a crime scene. They are give personal safety tips and offered a home security survey. This program works because the neighbors become more familiar with each other and with the police department.

Contact Care Program

The Forest Acres Contact Care Program is set up for citizens in our community who wish to have someone check on them each day. The program is made up of approximately thirty participants. Married couples or single persons participate in this program. Participants call Forest Acres Police Department each day before 11:00 a.m. If the dispatcher does not hear from a participant, he/she calls the participant’s house. Should a participant not answer the phone, an officer is then sent to check on him or her. If a participant does not come to the door, and the officer has reason to believe the participant is at home, the officer will report back to headquarters to retrieve a house key. He will then return to enter the home and check on the well being of the participant. A house key, along with pertinent information, is given to the Community Service Officer when the participant initially gets on the Contact Care list. All keys are kept in a lock box in the Forest Acres Police Department dispatch room.

The Contact Care Program also provides assistance in getting prescriptions filled or groceries delivered when a participant is not able to get the immediate help they need from family or friends. Participants will receive birthday and Christmas cards from the Police Department. This Program is very beneficial to our citizens who can use a little extra care. It may be possible that the officers and staff at Forest Acres are the only personal contacts some of our participants experience on a daily basis. For that reason, the Forest Acres officers take this seriously and may visit with our participants whenever possible.

Children’s Programs

Forest Acres offers a myriad of children’s programs. Churches, daycare facilities and elementary school programs on “Gun Safety”, “Stranger Danger”, “Bicycle Safety”, “What Do I Do When I’m Lost”, “When I Stay Alone at Home”, and “How and When to Call 911”. Children learn how important it is to know their address and phone numbers. Cub Scout Tours of the Police Department may be set up by calling the Community Service Officer. Explanations of department activities help clarify what goes on in a Police Officer’s day.

Commercial Robbery Intervention

Forest Acres Police Department offers a twenty-minute program on what to do, or not do, in the case of a robbery. This program is extremely beneficial to bank employees who may have experienced a robbery. This is a good time for employees to ask questions and express their concerns. If they have not experienced a robbery, this program will help to prepare them mentally and aid them with the preservation of evidence.

Property Checks

Forest Acres Police Department offers a residential property check for citizens who go away on vacation, business or for any other reason. Before leaving, homeowners may call or come by the police department to give the information needed to start their property checks. While the resident is away, officers check the property twice a day to make sure everything is secure. Citizens are put at ease by the high police profile in the area while they are out of town.

Personal Safety Tips

Personal Safety Programs are available to area Church groups. An officer will come to your church and dialog with citizens on safety in the home, while walking, and while in a public place. The officer also will talk about what to do if you are robbed or mugged, and how to avoid being a victim in a flimflam.

Fingerprinting Service

Fingerprinting service is available through appointments. Call the Forest Acres Community Service Officer at the department. A charge of $10.00 per card is levied.