Neighborhood Watch
Working Together to Keep Twelve Oaks Safe
The Twelve Oaks Neighborhood Watch Program is a volunteer partnership between residents and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO) dedicated to helping keep our community safe.
No one knows our neighborhood better than the people who live here. While law enforcement cannot be everywhere at once, residents are often the first to notice when something doesn't seem right. Neighborhood Watch simply encourages neighbors to look out for one another, stay alert, and report suspicious activity when necessary.
Our volunteers receive guidance from HCSO Crime Prevention Deputies on topics such as home security, personal safety, recognizing suspicious activity, and effective crime reporting. By working together, we create an extra set of eyes and ears that helps deter crime and strengthens our community.
How It Works
Neighborhood Watch is built on neighbors helping neighbors. Members keep an eye on nearby homes, stay connected through our communication network, and share important safety information with one another.
If you observe suspicious activity, please report it to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Non-Emergency Line at (813) 247-8200 as soon as possible. After contacting HCSO, you can also notify your Neighborhood Watch Area Coordinator so nearby residents can remain informed.
A Tradition of Community Safety
The Twelve Oaks Neighborhood Watch Program has proudly served our community since October 1993. To improve communication, an email notification system was introduced in 2001, allowing residents to receive neighborhood safety updates and community alerts.
📧 Neighborhood Watch Email: nwatch12oaks@gmail.com
Why Neighborhood Watch Matters
Helps deter criminal activity before it happens.
Encourages neighbors to know and look out for one another.
Improves communication between residents and law enforcement.
Creates a stronger sense of community and belonging.
Helps make Twelve Oaks a safer place to live, work, and raise a family.
Neighborhood Watch is more than a crime prevention program—it's about neighbors working together to build a safer, stronger, and more connected community for everyone.
Community Safety Tips
See Something? Say Something.
🚨 In an emergency or if a crime is in progress, always call 911 immediately.
For suspicious people, vehicles, or non-emergency incidents, contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Non-Emergency Line at (813) 247-8200. If you make a report, be sure to ask for the event number for your records.
The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and the Florida Highway Patrol regularly patrol the Twelve Oaks community. Deputies often notice conditions around homes that can unintentionally make them more vulnerable to crime. By taking a few simple precautions, residents can help protect their property and make our neighborhood even safer.
Help Prevent Crime by:
🚲 Locking bicycles when they are not in use.
🚪 Keeping garage doors and exterior doors closed and locked.
🚗 Closing vehicle windows and locking vehicle doors.
🔑 Never leaving keys inside an unattended vehicle.
🌳 Trimming hedges and bushes that block windows or reduce visibility.
🪜 Storing ladders securely and away from your home.
💡 Maintaining adequate outdoor lighting around your property.
🏡 Making sure your house numbers are clearly visible from the street.
Together We Make Twelve Oaks Safer
Neighborhood safety is a shared responsibility. By staying alert, looking out for one another, and reporting suspicious activity, every resident plays an important role in helping keep Twelve Oaks a safe, welcoming place to call home.
Thank you for doing your part to protect our community!
Stay Connected When It Matters Most
One of the most effective tools during an urgent situation is the ability to communicate quickly with our neighbors.
Our Neighborhood Watch team is building a volunteer phone tree made up of residents from every street in Twelve Oaks. In the event of an urgent community concern, participants may receive a phone call asking them to stay alert, look outside for suspicious activity, or contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office if they observe something concerning.
Your safety always comes first. We will never ask anyone to leave their home or physically intervene in any situation. The goal is simply to help keep neighbors informed and provide additional eyes and ears for our community.
Join the Phone Tree
If you would like to participate, please email the following information to nwatch12oaks@gmail.com:
Your name
Home address
Best phone number(s) to reach you
Why It Matters
While email is a great way to share general neighborhood updates, it isn't always the fastest method during an active situation. A neighborhood phone tree allows important information to be shared quickly when every minute counts.
We are looking for residents who are willing to:
Stay informed about neighborhood safety.
Help pass along important information when needed.
Report suspicious activity to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office when appropriate.
Help strengthen communication throughout our community.
By working together and staying connected, we can continue making Twelve Oaks a safe, informed, and caring neighborhood for everyone.
This version reads much more like a modern HOA/community website. It's positive, reassuring, and emphasizes community involvement rather than fear, while keeping all of the important details.
Twelve Oaks Watch Patrol — Community volunteers drive around our neighborhood with "Twelve Oaks Watch Patrol" magnetic signs on their cars and a flashing light. These people are your neighbors who volunteer to help make our community safer. The patrol volunteers do not stop cars or people, but do have a significant impact on lowering crime. Their presence makes it known that we, as a community, are observing and watching for incidents and suspicious behavior to report directly to the police. Patrol volunteers are needed for November and December. If you would like to help, please contact Ann Carletti at 813-888-7212 or email: tocrimepatrol@gmail.com. A gasoline gift card is given to those who patrol at least three to four days in a week and turn in the report.