Back to the top Business Watch Business Watch is a unique program designed for the businesses in the City of Petersburg. It is a joint program between the Police Department and our business community. This partnership encourages creating ideas and problem solving aimed at reducing the opportunities for criminal activities in business areas. It is a proactive and preventive approach to reducing crime. Business Watch consists of business owners, their employees and the Police Department's Business Watch Coordinator.
Business owners look out for one another.
The premise of crime prevention through environmental design is that the layout of a community can attract criminals and make it easier for them to commit crimes and evade arrest. The design and use of the environment directly affects human behavior that influences fear of crime and opportunities for criminal action. Environmental design impacts the quality of life in an area. Using the visibility of the property or building. How you design the windows, lighting and landscaping plays an important role in observing criminal behavior by stationary or passing individuals.