Realty Watch

The Jefferson County Sheriff's Office has joined forces with real estate agents working in Jefferson County neighborhoods, in an effort to make neighborhoods safer.  This partnership, called Realty Watch, can help prevent and solve crime in our communities while enhancing our residents' quality of life.   

Why Realty Watch?
Because real estate agents spend a great deal of time in our neighborhoods, they are in a perfect position to notice suspicious or criminal activity in or around the homes they visit.  The Realty Watch program is designed to teach realtors crime prevention and proper crime reporting techniques to get them involved in protecting property, possessions ... and themselves.

The Facts
A safer community will increase the overall quality of life in any neighborhood.  Reducing vandalism, burglary, criminal mischief, assault and other crimes in any area can make properties more valuable and more marketable.   

Law enforcement agencies cannot be everywhere, all the time.  We rely on assistance from the public to help solve crimes.  The real estate industry, with its vast manpower resources and its activity in residential neighborhoods, can provide extra eyes and ears to protect our communities.

Studies have shown that crime prevention is most effective when stakeholders other than law enforcement are actively involved.  Most neighborhood crime in Jefferson County is opportunistic and can be effectively reduced through simple crime prevention techniques.

How Realty Watch Works
Sheriff's Office instructors train real estate agents in how to recognize and report suspicious activity, how to identify evidence of illegal drugs and meth labs, and how to avoid dangerous situations.  Once trained, agents return to work, always keeping an eye open for suspicious activity in the neighborhoods where they work.  Participants in Realty Watch will receive e-mails from the Sheriff's Office with crime prevention tips, personal safety tips, crime trends and crime notifications.

Who Benefits?
The Realty Watch program is a win-win situation for all.

Realtors benefit in several ways.  First, it is much easier to sell a home, business or property if the area has a low incidence of crime.   Further, agents will learn personal safety tips and gain a better understanding of crime in neighborhoods -- information that will help them in the course of their work.

Homeowners can gain peace of mind knowing that trained eyes are keeping watch on their listed home. Neighbors throughout the community will also benefit.  Because chances are, if crime is occurring to your listed home, it may be affecting surrounding homes as well.  Realty Watch decals in listed homes' windows and on yard signs will let the neighbors know that a Realtor Watch agent is selling a home.

The Sheriff's Office benefits through the added eyes and ears that agents bring to our communities.  Having a force of trained observers in our neighborhoods will help us to fight crime and make Jefferson County safer.

If you are interested in learning more about Realty Watch or its counterpart, Neighborhood Watch, please contact a crime prevention deputy at 303-271-5363 (north Jeffco), 303-670-8125 (mountains) or 720-377-2002 (south Jeffco). 

Last Modified: Mar 28, 2009 10:17 PM