benefit Zone 2 - safety bID

Our Dedicated Downtown Police Officer
BID Cooperative Security Program 

The Business Improvement District's Cooperative Security Program is designed to enhance both the Billings Police presence within the Downtown District as well as to bolster private security efforts at individual properties. This is done through the use of an extra-duty police officer. Extra-duty officers are sworn, uniformed Billings Police who operate out of marked city vehicles and use City-issued uniforms and equipment. They operate in conjunction with the on-duty Billings Police. They are NOT off-duty police or private security guards who often work independent for the on-duty police. This extra-duty officer, much like a resource officer, provides additional presence, visibility and assistance over and above what is already provided by the Billings Police Department.  This Dedicated Downtown Center Beat Officer will have an office at the Downtown Billings Alliance office and in other areas within the footprint.  If you would like more information about this program, call Lisa Harmon, Executive Director, Downtown Billings Alliance, @ 294-5060 or email: lharmon@downtownbillings.com.

 PETITION TO EXPAND THE BID TO
CREATE A NEW SELF ASSESSED SAFETY ZONE

WE ARE THERE!

Since January of this year, Officer Shane Winden has been in place in downtown Billings and the response from merchants, property owners, and the downtown community has been very positive.  Our members have expressed their support of the program, particularly of having an engaged, on the street officer who interacts personally with them day to day.  Officer Winden has an active role in public education relative to crime prevention and this position allows a fresh approach to tackling crime and identifying new areas of police focus as it relates to issues that face our downtown business and residential community.   Our members are heard, their concerns validated and addressed – and that has had a tremendous impact on economic activity and on the countenance of our downtown.  

Officer Winden's position has been made possible for the first two years through Tax Increment Financing and will be funded in subsequent years by way of private property owner assessments through implementation of a BID Safety Zone.

 PETITION PDF

If you haven't signed the petition yet, and still want to go on record showing your support, please click on the link above.  The final boundaries have been established, please click on the small map below for a larger view.

(And... COMING SOON!) - BUSINESS WATCH

Business Watch is a wonderful program that we would like to bring to our Downtown.  Business Watch functions much like the Neighborhood Watch programs you may already be familiar with: "neighbors" keep an eye on each other to help keep their community safe. Member organizations work together and with the Billings Police Department to reduce crime and the opportunity for crime in the area.
Periodic informational seminars and training throughout the year increase awareness and can help prevent your business and your customers from becoming targets for crime. Every member organization receives a window decal identifying them as members of the Business Watch community. For more information about Business Watch, call the Business Improvement District at 294-5060.

The BID hosts, with the Downtown Billings Association, Business Watch training sessions. These community meetings focus on crime prevention and security tips presented by public safety professionals for the benefit of retail merchants, retail employees, residents and property owners. Topics of recent sessions have included "Check Fraud", "How to avoid identity theft" and "Personal Safety".

 CERTIFIED CRIME PREVENTIONBUSINESS PROGRAM

With our Dedicated Center Beat Officer (DCBO), we will be launching the Certified Crime Prevention Business Program.  The Certified Crime Prevention Business Program is built around four main elements, which consist of written policies, training, security assessments, and liaison with the Billings Police Department.  These four elements are broken down into requirements that must be fulfilled by the business seeking certification within the program.  The purpose of the program is to prevent participating businesses from being victimized.  This is accomplished by raising awareness and knowledge through written policies and training, implementing recommended security applications, and by increased
communication and cooperation between businesses themselves, and between the business community and the Police Department. There are many incentive and benefits for your business when you join the Certified Crime Prevention Business Program.  The following are examples of such incentives and benefits:

• Brings businesses together to create a greater awareness of crime and crime prevention techniques being used in their localities

• Free Risk Reduction/Security Assessment and report

• Free crime prevention training covering topics such as fraud prevention, robbery prevention, employee theft and shoplifting reduction strategies, burglary prevention, workplace violence and crime reporting procedures

• Technical Assistance in developing written crime prevention policies 

• Crime alerts to member businesses highlighting crime patterns and trends that may impact their business via email, mail, or fax

• Quarterly informative crime prevention newsletter

• Enhances the Police Department’s after hours contact through the Emergency Contact program

• The Certified Crime Prevention Business designation can be used as a marketing tool to attract
  employees, consumers, investors

• Awarded visible sign that will be prominently displayed by the business that sends a clear
  message to “would be” criminals that criminal behavior will not be tolerated and that the business is serious about crime prevention

• Results in a better and safer community

• Business will be listed on promotions as Certified Crime Prevention Business