Search
   Site Map | Contact Us

• Economic Development
• Online Services
• Elected Officials
• Job Opportunities
• City Services
• Departments
• Visitors

• Home
• Electric Utilities
• Event Permits
• Fire
• Fleet Services
• Gastonia Public Golf Course
• General Services
• Parks & Recreation
• Police
• Pro - Business Permit Center
• Public Works / Utilities
• Schiele Museum

Community Programs

Crime Prevention Bureau

Gastonia Police Department Crime Prevention Bureau officers specialize in educating youth, elderly, and various organizations and businesses throughout Gastonia and Gaston County about safety awareness and how to effectively practice crime prevention. You can contact Crime Prevention for information or programs at 704.866.6873 or by sending an email to police@cityofgastonia.com.

The following programs are available:

• Baby-sitting Safety - Learn about communication baby-sitters should have with parents prior to watching the kids. There are some agreements to make about what to do and who to call in case of an emergency.

• Bicycle Registration (City Residents only) - Register your bicycle so if it is lost or stolen, we'll have information identifying you as the owner. Dozens of bicycles are turned in to the police department each year and many are unclaimed.

• Bicycle Safety Programs - Learn about getting the right bike for your body size, wearing a helmet, making sure your bike is in proper working order before you ride, and other helpful tips.

• Citizen's Police Academy - An 11-week course so you can learn about the Gastonia Police Department. Topics include Patrol officer techniques, Crime Scene Investigations, the K-9 Unit, the SWAT Team, and more. For an academy application you may click here.

• Community Watch - Please click here for information.

• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) - Learn how to design facilities like stores or apartment complexes to ensure they are not easy targets for criminals.

• Drug Abuse/Drug Display - Learn about legal and illegal drugs and how and why to "just say no." Officers will provide a group discussion with adults and children as well as having drugs on display.

• Fingerprinting - Officers fingerprint children so parents will have known identification traits for future references.

• Halloween Safety - Halloween and personal safety tips are presented. Colorful bags for trick or treating are sometimes available free of charge.

• Home Security - Learn how you can better secure your home: improve lighting, cut bushes, make your house look more lived in, etc. Click here for a copy of a Do-It-Yourself Home Security Survey.

• Property Inventory Sheet - Maintaining information about household valuables, especially electronic equipment, is vitally important. Investigators will need this information if you are ever a victim of a home burglary. Taking pictures or video of your property is also a good idea. Click here for a copy of a Property Inventory Sheet.

• McGruff the Crime Dog or John E. Law - Call Crime Prevention to schedule an appearance of these popular personalities. Click here to visit McGruff's web site.

• Music Awareness - A program designed for teachers and parents on music and the influence it might have on today's children.

• Personal Safety - Learn how you can guard your personal safety while conducting the affairs of everyday life.

• Police Department Tours - Take a tour with a guide who can tell you about the services and programs offered by the Gastonia Police Department.

• Explorers - Similar to the Boy Scouts/Girl Scouts, the Explorer program helps interested youth learn about careers in law enforcement. Participants are required to attend monthly meetings, help law enforcement officers with some duty activities (crime prevention shows, community watch meetings, passing out flyers, etc.) and will learn about all areas of law enforcement. Participants must be 14-20 years old and have a clean record.

• Puppet Shows - Officer Ollie and his friends teach children on a variety of subjects: stranger danger, traffic safety, personal safety, if you get lost, vandalism, drug awareness, respect for authority and many others!

• Identity Theft Prevention - Learn practices to help prevent identity theft and what to do in case you become a victim of this crime. Another helpful resource is the Federal Trade Commission.

• Internet Safety - How children can be safe on the Internet. You can also find helpful resources at Netsmartz.org

• Seat Belt Safety - Seat belt dummies Vince and Larry show you the importance of wearing seatbelts.

• The Teaching, Educating And Mentoring  (T.E.A.M.) program - A variety of topics that can be taught to students K-12. Instruction in laws relating to violence, weapon safety, gang prevention, traffic safety, substance abuse, truancy and personal safety can be provided as well as locally created programs.

 

Other Police Programs

Hug-A-Bear
Teddy Bears given to distressed children.
704.866.6873

PrintChek
Businesses avoid fraudulent check writing.
704.866.6864

Kids Clubs
For youth in Gastonia Police substation areas.
704.842.5118

Ride Along Program
704.866.6889

ABC Law & Fake IDs
704.866.6874

Crime Stoppers
Up to $1,000 for information that leads to an arrest
704.861.8000

Funeral Escorts
Scheduled by funeral homes upon request.

Honor Guard
Presentation of colors and the 21-gun salute at ceremonies and military funerals.
704.866.6889

School Crossing Guards

704.866.6889

 

More Helpful Resources

National Crime Prevention Council

National Safety Council

 

Questions or comments about this site? Email the webmaster.

Back