Program benefits.

When you start a Business Watch program on a street or block, or within your shopping center, you take an important step toward a safer environment for yourself, your employees and your customers-your community as a whole.  Benefits besides reducing crime include:

• Network with other area businesses
• Foster a good working rapport with area law enforcement
• Offer employee training and education
• Garner publicity and community goodwill for your establishment

What is a business watch?

Modeled after the Neighborhood Watch, Business Watch takes the “neighbors looking out for neighbors” concept to the commercial level, creating a partnership between business, law enforcement, and other organizations that represent business interests.  The Business Watch philosophy is straightforward: Take control of what happens in your business community and lessen your chances of becoming a victim.

The Arkansas VINE system consists of a network of computers placed in each county jail, prosecuting attorney's office, the Department of Correction, the Attorney General's Office, and the Parole Board . The system captures information on an offender's custody status. The system also provides court event information on criminal cases handled by Prosecuting Attorneys. Individuals are able to search for offenders in custody in their community, and in 38 other participating states throughout the country, through www.vinelink.com.

The Benton Police Department, along with other local law enforcement agencies, is proud to take part in the Picture Them Home campain.  The Picture Them Home Campaign is an ongoing initiative to raise awareness about the power of pictures and their importance in the search for missing children. By placing photos of missing children on our police cars, the goal to distribute posters to as broad an audience as possible.