The Business Watch and Problem Solving Program Involves: • Business people getting to know each other and working together in a mutual assistance program • Employees being trained to recognize and call police to report suspicious activities and people • Employees being trained to handle emergencies, serve as a good witness and implement crime prevention techniques • Implementation of crime prevention techniques such as better security, fraud and shoplifting prevention, Operation Identification and other measures • Helping to solve problems in your business community through a partnership between you and the police department • Learning about other public and private agencies that can be resources in helping to solve problems in your business community. As part of the program, participating businesses will be given stickers to alert potential thieves and trouble makers that employees of the businesses have been trained and other crime prevention measures have been taken. The business will be added to the Merchant Alert Notification System, which will notify the business of crime or other areas of concern. Business Watch signs similar to the Neighborhood Watch Signs will be put at all entrances to the shopping center providing that 50 percent of the businesses in the center participate in the program.

Merchant Alert is part of Business Watch. It's a way to alert merchants of potential security risks reported to police. For example, if a person reports the theft of a checkbook, Merchant Alert provides information to you concerning those stolen checks. The idea is to make you aware of these losses, so you in turn don't suffer a loss. You can assist police by reporting that someone has attempted to use those stolen checks as well, which could assist in apprehending the suspect. Merchant Alert notifications can be issued via e-mail, fax, or automated phone notification systems.

What Happens During Meetings and How Often Will Meetings Occur? Usually a meeting consists of five to 10 business neighbors. A typical meeting lasts about one hour. They can be scheduled for any time of the day or evening - it's up to you. A member of the Kissimmee Police Criminal Investigations Division will attend and talk about crime prevention and problem solving strategies that you and your business neighbors might use in your part of the community. Crime prevention brochures and problem solving resource materials are also distributed duringeeting. You and your business neighbors can then hold future meetings when you feel it is necessary; usually it's every couple of months.

Business Watch and Problem Solving Prevention Tips Business Watch and Problem Solving emphasizes teamwork, crime prevention education and businesses working together with the police to prevent crime. In the program, business owners, managers and employees are taught valuable crime prevention techniques that help them to reduce losses and criminal opportunity. Business Watch and Problem Solving also stresses communication between businesses and the police department, such as the exchange of telephone numbers to be used in the event of a crime or other emergency; and information regarding suspicious persons, potential shoplifters or any other criminal activity.