Community Policing

New crime prevention handbooks are now on display at the downtown Farmington public library and the Farmington Public Safety Department. The handbooks were purchased by the FPSD through a Homeland Security grant. Farmington area residents are encouraged to stop by and pick up the handbooks, free of charge.

There are three handbooks that provide helpful safety information to residents. The handbook entitled, Crime Prevention, A Citizens Handbook, provides updated information that will teach residents how to protect themselves against crimes such as burglary, theft and home invasion. The Neighborhood Watch handbook provides helpful information regarding the importance of Neighborhood Watch programs and how residents can get actively involved in the program. The third handbook, the Business Alert Handbook, provides information to business owners about how they can protect themselves against business related crimes.

These handbooks will bring more awareness about crime prevention to the community. It is our hope that residents will read the handbooks and share the information they learn with their families and neighbors.

City of Farmington residents are encouraged to register to receive email alerts about public safety information in the community. If you are interested in receiving email alerts, please email your name and address to Commander Todd Anderson at tanderson@farmgov.com.

 I don’t know how many times the following scenario has occurred during my 18 year career as a public safety officer here in Farmington, but once is too many. An officer is dispatched to an incident such as larceny of tires from a car or a car radio or navigation system has been stolen and as the officer is investigating the incident and taking information for their report a neighbor walks over. The neighbor then proceeds to tell the officer and the resident that he or she observed suspicious activity near their car during the night such as seeing flashlights or car doors open but they didn’t call the police. When asked why they didn’t call the police, they replied that they weren’t 100% sure that there was a crime in progress or they didn’t want to bother us.

This scenario has played out hundreds of times over the last 18 years right here in Farmington. Residents of Farmington are often great witnesses but all too often are reluctant to call the police when they come across situations that may warrant it. Remember, if something doesn’t seem right to you, it probably isn’t, so call the public safety department and let our officers come out and investigate. You aren’t bothering us and we have the time to answer these type of calls. That is what we are here for. If officers come out and investigate the incident and there is no crime, officers will not belittle or think less of you. You have done your job.For example, on November 11th an employee of a Farmington business observed some car doors open at 3:00 a.m. at a business located across the street. She noted that this was out of the ordinary and phoned our department telling dispatch of the suspicious circumstance. Officers responded immediately and found a subject hiding in one of the cars. Further investigation revealed that the subject had gone through 11 cars in the area and the subject was arrested. Success!

As the new Neighborhood Watch Coordinator I want all residents in Farmington to make not only great witnesses but also not be afraid to report crimes and suspicious circumstances when they see them occurring. A partnership between the Farmington Public Safety Department and Farmington residents is our best bet at keeping ourselves and our property safe.

Please consider attending a Neighborhood Watch meeting on the second Thursday of each month in the Farmington Council Chambers.

Cmdr. Todd Anderson
Neighborhood Watch Coordinator

When you hear the emergency warning sirens anywhere in the city, you need to take immediate action. Oakland County Emergency Response and Preparedness will sound these sirens when:

• The National Weather Service issues a severe thunderstorm warning with damaging winds in excess of 65 mph.
• The National Weather Service issues a Tornado warning.
• A tornado sighting has been verified by public safety officials.
• Additional weather warnings are issued.
• Other emergency situations (such as a hazardous material release) that could harm the public.

Take Immediate Action

• Tune to local TV and Radio for current updates.\
• Primary radio stations: WJR(AM-960), or WWJ(AM-1270).
• All local TV stations and cable receive warning information.
• Go immediately to your basement or safe area in your home if high winds, severe thunder and lightning are present.
• Carry a battery-operated radio and NOAA weather alert radio so you will know when the emergency has passed and when it is clear to leave your safe area.
• If, during a storm, you are outside in open areas away from possible shelter, lie flat on the ground away from trees until the storm passes. If in a vehicle, get out and find a more substantial structure.
  Do not rely on hearing a weather siren in a low lying area.

DO NOT CALL 911 TO ASK WHY THE SIRENS ARE SOUNDING AS THIS CAN OVERLOAD THE 911 EMERGENCY RESPONSE SYSTEM. ONLY CALL 911 IN AN EMERGENCY.