Sheriff's Office
Dustin D. Heuerman, County Sheriff

Champaign County Coronavirus Response Webpage

Community Engagement

The Champaign County Sheriff’s Office is very involved in community initiatives to help provide for a safer Champaign County. Below are a few of the community engagement initiatives in which we are engaged.

Explorers

Law Enforcement Exploring is a hands-on program open to young men and women who have completed the 8th grade through 20 years old, interested in a career in law enforcement, corrections, or a related field in the criminal justice system.

The program offers young adults a personal awareness of the criminal justice system through training, practical experiences, competition and other activities. The program promotes personal growth through character development, respect for the rule of law, physical fitness, good citizenship and patriotism.

To learn more, e-mail [email protected], call 217-384-1222 or visit www.exploring.org/law-enforcement for more generalized information about this program.

Neighborhood Watch Return to top

KEEP YOUR EYES AND EARS OPEN!!

Report Suspicious Activity:

• Subjects looking into windows or parked cars.
• Cars, vans, or trucks moving slowly with no apparent destination or without lights.
• Strange vehicles parked in the area.
• Unusual noises.

CALL 911:

• Briefly describe the event - what happened, when, where and who was involved.
• Describe the suspect - sex, race, age, height, weight, hair coloring, clothing, distinctive characteristics and last seen direction of travel.
• Describe the vehicle - color, make/model, year, license plate, distinctive characteristics and last seen direction of travel.

For more information and material on how to begin a Neighborhood Watch program contact:

Neighborhood Watch Coordinator
Deputy Shawn Hallett
email: [email protected]
Phone: (217) 384-1204

Lt. Curt Apperson
email: [email protected]
Phone: (217) 384-1215

Click here to download the Neighborhood Watch brochure .

Click here to download the Neighborhood Watch presentation .

You can form a Neighborhood Watch Group around any geographical unit - a block, an entire neighborhood, an apartment complex or a business area.  Watch groups are not vigilantes, they are extra eyes and ears for reporting crime and helping neighbors.

Any community resident can join - young or old, single or married, renter or homeowner.  A few concerned residents or a community organization can spearhead the effort to organize a Neighborhood Watch.  Participants learn how to make their homes more secure, watch out for each other and the neighborhood and report suspicious activities.

Starting a Neighborhood Watch

PHASE ONE:

• Organize a small planning committee of neighbors to discuss needs, the level of interest and community problems.
• Contact the Champaign County Sheriff's Office Neighborhood Watch Coordinator to attend the meeting and share local crime trends and training opportunities.
• Hold an initial neighborhood meeting to gauge neighbors' interest, establish the purpose of the program and identify issues needing to be addressed.

PHASE TWO:

• Ask for Block Captain volunteers who are responsible for relaying information to members.
• Establish a regular means of communication with Watch members - newsletters, email, telephone tree, etc.
• Prepare neighborhood maps showing names, addresses and phone numbers of participating households.  Update information.
• With the guidance of the Crime Prevention Officer, members are trained in home security techniques, observation skills and crime reporting.
• Post Neighborhood Watch signs after consulting with the Sheriff's Office.

Tips for Success:

• Hold regular meetings to help residents get to know each other and to collectively decide upon program strategies and activities.
• Consider linking with an existing Homeowner's or Tenant Association.
• Maintain the liaison with the Champaign County Sheriff's Office a major source for crime patterns and educational information.
• Get the information out quickly.  It needs to be timely and relevant.  Share all kinds of news - quash rumors!
• Gather facts about crime in your neighborhood.  Learn residents' perceptions about crime.  Often residents' opinions are not supported by facts, and accurate information can reduce the fear of crime.
• Physical conditions like abandoned cars or overgrown vacant lots contribute to crime.
• Sponsor cleanups, encourage residents to beautify the area, ask them to turn on outdoor lights at night.
• It's essential to celebrate the effort and recognize volunteers' contributions.