Residents Invited to Participate in Flash Mob to Promote Neighborhood Watch

Here's your chance to go viral.

Tampa Police Department spokeswoman Janelle McGregor is looking for volunteers to participate in the creation of a YouTube video to promote the Neighborhood Watch program.

The TPD is teaming up with radio station 93.3 FM to create a video based on the latest craze, the "Harlem Shake."

"It's basically a flash mob where one person starts off doing a random dance and then the whole group joins in," said McGregor. "Don't worry, there's no choreography needed."

The video will contain a public service message on fighting crime.

"We thought this would be a fun and catchy way to showcase the Neighborhood Watch program and to hopefully get more residents like yourselves involved in the fight against crime," said McGregor.

The video will be filmed in the coming week in a neighborhood setting, she said. "We will figure out the time and exact location based on participation."

Those interested in participating should email McGregor at Janelle.McGregor@tampagov.net.

About Neighborhood Watch

The Neighborhood Watch concept centers on the community and police working together for the safety and protection of a neighborhood. It is an organization made up of citizens concerned about their neighborhood, and is one of the most effective and least costly answers to crime, according to the TPD.

The city currently has 155 active Neighborhood Watch groups stretching from Davis Island to Tampa Palms, including Seminole Heights.

If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch in your neighborhood, contact the neighborhood liaison for your area below:

• If you live in west Tampa, the Tampa peninsula, or Davis Island, you are in TPD Patrol District 1. Call Maryanne Hunsberger at 813-354-6692.

• If you live north of Hillsborough Avenue or in New Tampa, you are in TPD Patrol District 2. Call Lisa Timmer at 813-931-6541.

After you contact your neighborhood liaison, a crime prevention officer will contact you and explain the program in detail. If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch group and becoming a Neighborhood Watch coordinator, the crime prevention officer would like to meet with you in person at your home and provide you with an application.

Once the application is completed, it will be reviewed and a criminal history check will be conducted. The crime prevention officer will contact you with the results.