Dear Lakewood Hills Crime Watch Members,

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We regret to inform you that the Lakewood Hills Crime Watch program will be suspended at the end of April due to ongoing financial challenges. Over the past 12 to 18 months, the program has faced increasing difficulties with long-term sustainability, and unfortunately, we have now reached the point where operations must pause.

We recognize that this news may be disappointing—especially for members who renewed within the last six months expecting a full year of patrol coverage. As engaged neighbors ourselves, the Crime Watch Board shares in that disappointment. While the organization will continue to fulfill its obligations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the program will no longer accept new memberships, and Dallas Police Department (DPD) patrols will conclude on or about April 30, 2025.

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Why the Program Is Being Suspended

The decision to wind down operations stems from three primary factors:

• Rising Costs – Since program inception, the cost of off-duty DPD patrols has increased by over 50%. In 2018, officer rates were $40 per hour; by 2025, they will reach $60, with some officers requesting $65. Membership dues, by contrast, have only modestly increased from $200 to $225 per year.
   

• Declining Participation – To meet its annual operating budget of approximately $40,000, the program needs about 170 member households and several business sponsors. While past fundraising efforts were often successful (ranging from $35,000 to $45,000), recent participation has declined significantly. In 2025, only 65 households contributed—leaving the program underfunded and unsustainable.
   

• Leadership Gaps – Despite multiple outreach efforts via newsletters and social media, the program has not been able to secure new volunteers to carry on leadership responsibilities. The Crime Watch Board has operated independently of the Lakewood Hills Neighborhood Association and has relied solely on the time and effort of a small group of dedicated neighbors.
   

What Happens Next

The Crime Watch Board will now begin steps to responsibly wind down the current program. It is expected that remaining funds will be used for final expenses through the end of April. In accordance with the program's bylaws, any unused funds will be donated to a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

Should future residents express interest in reestablishing a neighborhood patrol initiative, or an Enhanced Neighborhood Patrol (ENP), it may be possible to do so through the Lakewood Hills Neighborhood Association, which could streamline communication, budgeting, and administrative processes for such a program. While no such program currently exists under the LHNA's direction, that board has expressed a desire to form a new program as soon as possible, with participation of the neighborhood being a prerequisite to doing so.

The decision to discontinue the Crime Watch program as we have known it was a difficult one, but it is final. If you have any questions regarding the formation of a new program, please contact the Lakewood Hills Neighborhood Association President, Evan Etter at board@lakewoodhills.org

We deeply appreciate the support and involvement of all the residents and members who have helped sustain the Crime Watch program over the years.

 

Warm regards,
The Lakewood Hills Crime Watch Board