Citizen Guardian Request

The Evansville Police Department has a new tool to help deal with quality of life issues plaguing most communities, such as loud music, litter, loitering, disorderly conduct, and more generally unsupervised and ill-mannered youth.

The “Guardian” is a neighborhood surveillance unit equipped with cameras that will be placed in front of problem houses in neighborhoods throughout the city to monitor illegal activity.  The truck is fortified to protect against vandalism.

The “Guardian” will be placed in problem locations as determined by police reports, calls-for-service and neighborhood complaints. When a suitable location is identified, the Guardian will be parked in front of the problem property for several days as a very visible message that the police department is aware of the problem and is monitoring those responsible.  It is the opposite of an undercover operation.  We want the law-abiding citizens to know their complaints have not fallen upon deaf ears and we want those causing problems in the neighborhoods to know they are being watched.  We will speak with the problem residents and explain to them the complaints we have received and why the vehicle is parking in front of their house. 

If you would like to have the “Guardian” parked in front of a house in your neighborhood, call the Crime Prevention Office at 435-6135.

Please give the address and general information about the problems that are occurring at that house.  You can remain anonymous.  The deployment of the “Guardian” will be on a priority basis, based on neighbor complaints, calls-for-service and police reports.  Please note:  If we decide not to place the “Guardian” where you requested, that does not mean your complaint will not be addressed.  We have other, more covert ways of handling crimes that may be more successful for some situations. 

Similar programs have been very successful in cities of similar size throughout the country.  We look forward to working with you to improve the quality of life in your neighborhood.