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The Orange County Sheriff's Crime Prevention program began with the San Clemente Police Department in 1981 when it created its Neighborhood Watch Program. As with all Crime Prevention programs, it was education-based, and developed to address safety needs. This Program provided resources for all ages, and for all segments of the community; private citizens, school (private and public), commercial and faith communities. In 1985 the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) was formed. The group utilizes senior adults (55 years and older) to provide services such as vacation home checks, clerical support, and visits to the homebound as part of the YANA (You are Not Alone) program.

In 1993 the Orange County Sheriff's Department began providing police services in San Clemente. The department soon recognized the value of these Community and Crime Prevention Programs and began replicating them in many of their other contract cities. Today there are 1243 watch groups in communities served by the Orange County Sheriff's Department, each consisting of at least 20 homes, although, several of these groups are "associations" and serve as many as 250 homes.

Today Neighborhood Watch Programs are thriving in Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, Aliso Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano, San Clemente, Rancho Santa Margarita and the unincorporated areas of the county. There are eleven Crime Prevention Specialist, one CSO, and one Director responsible for these cities and areas. The Volunteer Program (RSVP) has also been successfully implemented in five of the contract cities; Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, Dana Point, San Juan Capistrano and the program continues to grow.

Crime Prevention represents "pro-active" vs. "re-active" concepts and instructs citizens as to their role in this process. An introduction to the local law-enforcement department provides a valuable link between the deputies and citizens. This connection dismisses the intimidation that may be present between law-enforcement and the general public, and strengthens the quality of life for all communities.

The programs and services that accomplish crime prevention goals are; Neighborhood Watch, Child Safety, Bike Rodeos, Personal Safety, Business Watch, Senior Citizen Safety, School Safety classes, CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environment Design) and proven community outreach services that are necessary for each community. Relevant information concerning gang issues and drug education are also presented.

Crime Prevention Units provide the valuable link with citizens that demonstrate "TOGETHER IS BETTER" and that Crime Prevention is everyone's business.