Business Watch is a program that started in November of 2005 through an initiative of a local businesswoman, Susan Reynolds, who had seen a similar program in another part of South Carolina. Greenville Police started a unique program that includes daily emails to city businesses which are signed up for the program. Participants receive a report that details Part I type crimes reported (such as Armed Robbery, Burglary, Autobreaking and Auto Theft).
The Crime Analyst for the Police Department also sends a synopsis each day that details current crime patterns in neighborhoods and in the business community. She reviews arrests made and shares progress in investigative cases. BW members also receive Wanted Fliers and fliers that detail crime pattern that affects the City residents, such as scam artists and unidentified criminals from surveillance videos.
The Business Watch program has been well received by the business community and members of the Greenville Police Department. Police Investigators say that tips from the BW program have led to arrests in major cases such as an Autobreaking series and thefts from businesses on Augusta Road. The program currently boasts over 500 members, and other Law Enforcement agencies have been trained by the City Police Crime Analysis Unit because they have expressed an interest in starting programs of their own. The City of Anderson currently operates a Business Watch program.
For additional Information contact the Business Watch Coordinator at (864) 467-5475
If you are a licensed business within the City limits of Greenville,
please fill out the form below and submit for consideration.
