Crime Prevention

Home Security Basics

Home security strategies rely upon the ability to influence offender decisions that precede criminal acts. The best strategies emphasize enhancing the perceived risk of detection and apprehension.

Home Security Basics (DOCX)

Identity Theft

IScam Alertdentity theft is when someone illegally obtains a person's identifying information, such as name, address, and date of birth, social security number or mother's maiden name. Armed with this information, an imposter can open new credit card accounts, drain your bank accounts, purchase automobiles, apply for loans, open utility services and on and on.

No matter how cautious you are, you cannot guarantee that a criminal will not obtain your information. The following steps will tell you what the warning signs are, how to protect yourself, what to do if you become a victim and the resources you will need.

Identity Theft (DOCX)

Neighborhood Watch

5 tips to getting started

Whether you're a motivated individual or a member of a group of concerned residents, nearly anyone can start a Neighborhood Watch group for their neighborhood.

  1. Map out your neighborhood geographically to determine which houses will be included. Start small.
  2. Talk to your neighbors to see what their concerns are and who would be interested in participating.
  3. Call the Oconto County Sheriff's Office to set up a mutually agreeable first meeting with your neighborhood. Tell us about any concern or specific issues that you would like to be discussed at the meeting.
  4. Start a committee to help plan the first meeting. Assign people to market the first meeting, make/buy food and manage meeting logistics.
  5. Advertise the first meeting to everyone in your geographically defined neighborhood. Involve children in your neighborhood by having them help hand out fliers.

Neighborhood Watch (PDF)

Pre-Emergency Planning Form

Oconto County Business Owners,

Attached you will find a new Oconto County Sheriff's Office Pre-Emergency Planning Form. We are currently in the process of updating our records for key holders and other information for businesses. We ask you to please complete the form and return it to the Oconto County Sheriff's Office at your earliest convenience. Completing this form will allow us to have current contact information for your business and will help us better serve you in the event of an emergency at your business during or after business hours.

You may return the completed form to me at the Oconto County Sheriff's Office in person, by mail, or by fax at 920-834-6915.