Business Watch is similar to Neighborhood Watch and takes the “neighbors looking out for neighbors” concept to the commercial side to create a partnership between businesses, law enforcement, and other organizations that represent business interests. 

The Business Watch philosophy is simple, “Take control of what happens in your business community and lessen your chances of becoming a victim.” The Costa Mesa Police Department aims to assist business owners with that through training and resources.

Business Watch actively reduces and prevents crime through cooperation and education by:

• Promoting communication and understanding between law enforcement and business,
• Teaching business owners to crime-proof their own properties, watch over neighboring businesses, and document and report suspicious activity, and
• Developing a mobile contact group and/or email distribution list to quickly disseminate information about crime in the area.

The Costa Mesa Police Department has several ways to stay connected to business owners in the City. There are two Area Commanders that deal with long-term issues in their areas, and there is a South Coast Metro Detail that is stationed in the South Coast Metro area and handle calls for service from surrounding businesses. That detail also holds trainings on crime trends and crime prevention.

Area Commanders:

Patrol Area 1 | City of Costa Mesa

Patrol Area 2 | City of Costa Mesa

South Coast Metro Detail:

South Coast Plaza | City of Costa Mesa

 Business Watch Manual

Business Preparedness Academy

The City of Costa Mesa through Costa Mesa Fire & Rescue, offers a Business Preparedness Academy which aims to educate business owners on emergency preparedness. This academy is a free on-day event hosted in collaboration with South Coast Metro Alliance and National University with support from the Office of Emergency Management and the police department.

For more information, please visit Business Preparedness Academy | City of Costa Mesa