Neighborhood Watch

For a situation that is not an emergency, call 703-691-2131.
For an emergency, call 911. 


This page offers two resources: (1) practical guidelines for crime prevention and reporting and (2) and an introduction to Neighborhood Watch. 

Guidelines for Crime Prevention and Reporting

Lakeport Cluster enjoys a strong sense of community and a good relationship with the Fairfax County Police Department.  You play a critical role in helping to prevent and solve crime by looking out for yourself and your neighbors and by being well informed about crime prevention and reporting.  The following hyperlink provides helpful information for accomplishing these goals.

Process for Handling Crime

Evaluating Solicitors

If you are a victim of crime, witness a crime or simply see what looks like a suspicious person, vehicle or activity, do not hesitate to call the police.  Your observation may be the key to preventing a crime, solving an open case or apprehending a serial offender.  Although optional, it is most helpful if you are willing to meet with officers upon their arrival.                 
Burglary is one of the crimes we most dread because of the physical, financial and psychological damage it can inflict.  The following hyperlink provides information on the motivations and methods of burglars.  If you read through this document, you will learn the strategies that can reduce the risk of being a victim.

Profile of a Burglar      

An Introduction to Neighborhood Watch

Lakeport Cluster supports the objectives and aspirations of “The National Neighborhood Watch Program” as originated by the National Sheriffs’ Association in 1972.  The following background references, in part, information supplied by the Sheriffs’ Association.

A Neighborhood Watch (NW) program is a group of people living in the same area who want to make their neighborhood safer by working together and in conjunction with local law enforcement to reduce crime and improve their quality of life.  NW is homeland security at the most local level.  And the key element is the relationship with local law enforcement.

Activities conducted by NW groups across the country are as diverse and varied as their volunteers and the neighborhoods they represent.  Activities may include neighborhood patrol, distributing crime prevention information, conducting home security surveys, addressing problems of disorder, and organizing community activities such as “National Night Out.”

NW is one of the oldest and best-known crime prevention concepts in North America.  In the late 1960s, an increase in crime heightened the need for a crime prevention initiative focused on residential areas and involving local citizens.  The National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA) responded, creating the National Neighborhood Watch Program in 1972, to assist citizens and law enforcement.  After the National Sheriffs’ Association kicked off the National Neighborhood Watch Program, it was left to local law enforcement agencies to create and support local groups.  

Lakeport Cluster has a NW Coordinator who determines the strategy, with the Board’s support, that best suits the needs of the community.  If you would like to learn more about the cluster’s NW effort or learn about crime prevention and reporting, contact the current coordinator.  You can request the current coordinator’s contact information from Lakeport’s Board of Directors by sending an e-mail to board@lakeportcluster.org.          

Lakeport Cluster is served by the Reston District Station of the Fairfax County Police Department. Officer Katy Defoe is the Crime Prevention Officer for Lakeport.  You can contact her at 703-478-0799 or katy.defoe@fairfaxcounty.gov or RestonCPO@fairfaxcounty.gov.   

For a situation that is not an emergency, call 703-691-2131.
For an emergency, call 911.

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