Arson Watch Program - by Lance Winslow

How To Start a Successful
Neighborhood
Arson
Mobile Watch Patrol
By Lance Winslow III

C O N T E N T S
1. Forword.................................................................................... 1
2. Overview .................................................................................. 2
3. Participants............................................................................... 3
4. Meeting Agenda ......................................................................17
5. Programs in Operation...........................................................18
6. About the Author ...................................................................19

F O R W O R D
About 10 years back one of our franchisees had all his belongings lost in a fire in the Conejo
Valley in CA. adjacent to the Santa Monica Mountains. He was not alone as whole
neighborhoods and 10’s of thousands of acres were destroyed in under two days.
The following year the fires were back bigger than ever before. This time half the city of
100,000 people were in danger with half of Malibu CA over the hill cut off. Many lost their
homes and few lost their lives unable to get out of the canyons in time. The fire moved so fast
there was little time to escape. This year the fire was believed to be arson related, although no
one was ever caught. That year there were other fires all burning simultaneously around
Northern and Southern CA and parts of Northern Nevada.
That is when The Car Wash Guys decided that they would get involved. Although many of us
live in very green areas, where fires have a tough time getting started, once they do get going
they generate their own wind and heat and little stands in their way. The most important strategy
is to catch them early. Of the nearly 20,000 brush fires annually in the Western States in the
Forest Regions, few ever get out of control, but the ones that do we all remember. By uniting the
entire community and working together we can decrease the number of fires intentionally started
and a better response to those that are started by negligence or by mother-nature such as
lightening. We must work hard to preserve our area and make our community one of the best
places in the World, a person could ever hope to live. We have a great community and we intend
to guard against the loss from fire. We want our community to be the greatest in our state and
our citizens, friends and families to know that we are all looking out for them and they are
looking out for us. No longer will the temptation exist for an unethical situation to occur from an
arsonist. Arsonists will know that our town is a no fly zone and that it is not only a police car,
fire department vehicle or the USDA Forestry Service truck that they need to be concerned with.
They will be caught if they attempt anything by the first person who sees them. The Schwann’s
delivery truck, the school bus driver, an electrician, a plumber, a real estate agent, anyone and
everybody will be observing while driving around in their normal course of business. With this
same group of people we too wish to interact with Mother Nature to keep the natural forest fires
to a minimum. We intend to protect our families, homes and beautiful serene area from
devastation that can be prevented or quickly contained.
- Lance Winslow III

O V E R V I E W
Mission Statement: To help our local fire departments, USDA Forestry Service and
police department by becoming the eyes and ears of the community. To establish a
power of presence and thus increasing the visibility of our prevention and enforcement
services. To establish a zone for arsonists where the risk of being caught is too high for
them to practice their profession. To unite the business community and Chamber of
Commerce with the citizens and the local government. To be proactive in law
enforcement. To empower people to remain in control of their communities. To potential
loss rates from fire and to keep property value high.
People who have jobs which require extensive travel through local communities (like
delivery services, real estate agents, and utility companies) are often in positions which they may
see crimes in action or suspicious behavior. Sometimes, just by being in a particular area at just
the right time, they may even unknowingly act as a deterrent for criminal activity. The
Neighborhood Arson Mobile Watch program seeks to enhance a community’s prevention and
containment strategy by providing concerned citizens, whose professions require extensive
driving, with proper training and signage materials to even further deter criminal acts and stop
fire outbreaks quickly.
Learning how to recognize suspicious behavior and knowing which local authorities to
contact is one of the key components of the training. Just knowing the correct phone number,
rather than dialing 911, can greatly reduce the amount of time it takes for the proper authorities
to respond, and keep 911 lines open for other emergencies. Another key component of the
program is providing magnetic signs on business and service vehicles, and use static cling
stickers on other vehicles which read: “We report suspicious behavior to our local authorities.”
This lets potential arsonists know right away that they should not risk any illegal activity; a
trained and aware crime watcher is in the area.
Each participant in the program attends a 30-minute seminar at the local Chamber of
Commerce with a Community Relations Officer from the Police Department, Fire Marshall or
USDA Forestry Service Community Prevention Advisor. They will receive a certificate and then
be issued two magnetic signs or a set of static cling stickers for their car(s). We will ask
participation from Chamber Members to start and as things prove to be effective we will increase
participation and education of the process. We will alert the media to this program and give
credit to the participants for helping our city or town. The participants will need some sort of
two-way communication, such as a cellular phone, two-way radio with a dispatcher or wireless
Internet access.

P A R T I C I P A N T S
A wide variety of participants are needed to launch a successful Neighborhood Arson Mobile
Watch program. In this section, necessary participants are listed, along with a description of the
kind of support needed from each. As many of you know, implementing a community-based
project requires the interest, cooperation, and support from many people. But it all is definitely
worthwhile!
Increasing the safety of a neighborhood benefits everyone from children and parents, to local
businesses. Not only does reducing arson activities in our area increase everyone’s quality of
life, but it can also help increase property values. We are aiming for zero tolerance for arsons
and quicker response from natural fires.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
The local Chamber of Commerce is the ideal organization to coordinate the program. They
should be asked to help build interest in the program by announcing the program to its members
at meetings, and running press releases in newsletters or membership mailings. (Be sure to
check the press release section for samples). The Chamber of Commerce should also be
requested to act as liaison between their members and the Local, State and Federal Agencies.
They will need to schedule with the USDA Forestry Service, Fire Department and Community
Relations Officer of the Police Department a time to come and talk to their members, (more than
one meeting may be necessary). Once the program is started, Chambers collect and keep track of
participants and schedule training sessions, and issues certificates of completion to participants
(a nice touch!). In addition to training, signage and print material are needed. The Chamber can
contract one of their members to make the magnetic signs and order the cling stickers with the
imprinted logos, and print flyers. Other tasks that Chambers can perform to increase the success
of the program are to create a list of target participants, send flyers to these targeted businesses
and individuals, and alert media sources.
FIRE DEPARTMENTS
The Local Fire department will provide a Community Relations person to explain to
participants the need to report arsonists and simple things you can do to minimize the potential
exponential and aggressive natures of small containable fires until the fire department arrives
with the proper tools to fight the fire. They will explain how to set up road blocks and secure
easy access for fire vehicles to arrive. When to get out of there and which direction to go. They
will also explain what the reality of your limits are based on the type of equipment in your
vehicle.
USDA FORESTRY SERVICE
The USDAFS will explain what is being done, why the importance, water tables, this years
potential exposure. They will provide hand outs and safety tips and what to do, where to go and

where to tune in. Prevention, communication and nature. Every year the USDAFS does
extensive research in prevention and data collection. This is information everyone should know
who lives near forested areas, parks and mountainous area. The can provide the education that
may help save the lives of you and your family.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Police department will provide a Community Relations person to explain to participants
the need to report crimes and what is actually a crime. Arson is a crime, one of the worst
possible crimes. The police can explain how to detect suspicious behavior from a potential
arsonist. They will explain that if someone cuts you off on the Highway it is an unfortunate
situation but not a crime and to limit phone calls to important things. Most importantly, they will
explain that the participants are the eyes and ears of the Police, not vigilantes. The Police will
also ask participants to have the police departments phone number programmed into their
cellular phones and to only use the 911 feature only for accidents involving arson activity,
accident injuries and very serious things. The Police department will also give the certificates to
participants once they have completed the seminar, which will be signed by police chief or local
Community Relations Officer.
CITY HALL
City Council members will very likely endorse the project at a city council meeting and give
a proclamation to the President of The Chamber of Commerce for the Chambers and local
businesses service to community. Most cities or towns can allot at least $2,500.00 towards the
project for the signage. Donations for the remained can often be obtained large companies in the
area. By announcing it at a city council meeting the program will receive the publicity it needs
to get quality participants.
MEDIA SUPPORT
Local Radio stations are very supportive of the community. Request that they play public
service announcements. Also, you will find that local newspaper will place flyers in the papers
to announce the project, local cable stations will tape video of participants driving down the
street and interview seminar participants.
ORGANIZING CHAIRPERSON
This will be the person who provides the necessary phone calls and keeps all the different
groups happy and coordinates the program. It is best to have a prominent volunteer type
individual for this, someone who is already known for the community involvement; maybe even
sits on a few non-profit boards and municipal committees. Someone everyone likes. The
Chairperson will be in charge of making great quotes in the media, organizing participants and
volunteers and scheduling meetings. Follow ups, thank you letters and personal invitations.
Also keeping track of all the events and making agendas and cooperating with neighboring cities
that follow this plan later. Other responsibilities include interfacing with non-profit groups to
make sure they can participate, and contacting Board of Realtors, Rotary, Kiwanis, Optimist,
Lions, Elks, clubs etc. In short, an ombudsman to council people, Mayor and City Manager.

P A R T I C I P A N T S Page 5
TARGET COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE
Ø Car Wash Guys Franchisee
Ø Air-Conditioning Companies
Ø Auto Parts Delivery Stores
Ø Beverage Companies
Ø Bread Companies
Ø Carpet Cleaning Companies
Ø Construction Companies
Ø Dominos Pizza Franchisee
Ø Flower Companies
Ø Garage Door Installers
Ø Landscapers
Ø Local Maid Services
Ø Merry Maids Franchisee
Ø Milk Man
Ø Mobile Dog Groomers
Ø Office Supply Companies
Ø Painting Companies
Ø Plumbing Companies
Ø Pool Services
Ø Realtors
Ø Screen Mobile Franchise
Ø Security Companies
Ø Signage Companies
Ø Snap on Tool Franchisee
Ø Snow Removal Companies
Ø Soil Testing Companies
Ø Title Companies
Ø Tow Companies
Ø Transportation Companies
Ø Window Washing Companies
QUASI-GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AND UTILITY COMPANIES TO PARTICIPATE
Ø Ambulance Company
Ø Bus Company
Ø Cable Company
Ø Electric Company
Ø Gas Company
Ø Telephone Company
Ø Trash and Refuse Company
Ø United State Post Office
Ø Utility Company

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES TO ASK TO PARTICIPATE
Ø Animal Control
Ø Code Enforcement Officers
Ø College District
Ø Department of Transportation
Ø EPA Inspectors
Ø Fire Department
Ø Forestry Department
Ø Military Recruiters
Ø National Guard Armory
Ø Park and Recreation District
Ø Probation Department
Ø Public Works
Ø School District
Ø Storm Water Program
Ø Water Treatment Plant
Ø Weights and Measures
WHAT DO THESE BUSINESSES, UTILITY COMPANIES AND GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
BRING TO THE TABLE?

Let us go through them one by one and discuss the businesses, utility companies and
government agencies and what they can offer. Each business due to their industries, labor
sources, customers, routes, and hours of operation brings another piece to the puzzle. Please
understand nothing in this book is arbitrary. Thousands of hours of conversations, meeting and
thoughts have gone into this project. Fire Department Captains, USDAFS Researchers, Law
Enforcement personnel and the author have spent considerable time in analyzing these concepts
and ideas and have come up with an effective program.
Starting from the beginning:
THE CAR WASH GUYS: Car Wash Guys wash cars at offices and residences. Their car
wash trucks are in and out of parking lots all the time. Their schedules are flexible to meet
customer demand; it varies a little each day. Their trucks are bright yellow and attract attention.
They are staffed with young men who are always looking for the next car to wash, scanning
parking lots. Driving slowly through neighborhoods looking for addresses of car wash
customers who call in. There are two or three people looking around while driving around in the
car wash truck. They also wash for many fleets in the town and can help with the initial
recruitment. Plus, these franchisees are required to be involved in community service projects.
If you do not have a franchisee in your area contact corporate to receive more information
SNAP-ON TOOL FRANCHISEE: These franchisees drive vehicles filled with expensive
tools and are aware of what someone acts like and body behavior when they are getting ready to
steal something, including their own inventory. These trucks have fancy alarms, and are built
like fortresses to protect the inventory. They hear things on the street and know who the bad
characters are. There franchisees are always willing to participate and know tons of people who
will ask them, “What is that sign on your truck for?” Great word of mouth advertising for your
program.
AIR CONDITIONING COMPANIES: Heating and Air Conditioning Companies often work
for commercial properties on roofs, a great vantage point, and totally unexpected. They have
constant communication. Their owners are usually very involved in city and civic affairs. They
also work in apartment complexes and have a good vantage point for observation on top of roofs.
They are also in residential neighborhoods of middle and upper middle class where people are at
work and not around to protect their properties.
REALTORS: Realtors have a pulse on the community; they know the neighborhoods in the
town. Some Real Estate offices grid the town by housing tracts, plus 4 zip code or census blocks
and each realtor is in charge of a certain area. They often canvass the area and are on a first
name basis with many residences. They know the Home Owners Association directors by name.
They also refer and are in contact with painters, pool service companies, landscapers, interior
decorators, snow removal companies, window washers, contractors, pool companies, and other
various residential companies, which can also serve as part of the volunteer neighborhood watch
program. They often tour or caravan with other realtors to look recent listings. In these weekly
caravans you might have 4-5 other realtors in the car learning all about the neighborhood arson
mobile watch program. Realtors know lots of people and are constantly involved with things
around town, their jobs and success depend on it.

PLUMBING COMPANIES: Plumbers are highly paid individuals and tend to know all the
income property owners of the town. These property owners are the movers and shakers who
are also involved in all the philanthropic and political groups in the towns. Plumbers handle
many emergencies and are some of the most randomly scheduled professionals. No one can
predict when or where they will show up next, including themselves. A criminal planning an
arson hates these types of wild cards. Like locksmiths called out to help with lock out problems,
they can be anywhere at any time for anybody. A plumbing company with multiple trucks can
be a great asset. A small company with one truck can also have just as many contacts around
town. Both large and small plumbing companies will be more than happy to help your program.
SECURITY COMPANIES: They already are in this line of work and have multiple of
vehicles and often employ former police officers, firemen and military personnel. They have
communication, scanners, and bright lights. They will be glad to join the program simply for the
PR value. This adds numbers to your group. Some security companies have many vehicles and
with the signs on the back they are advertising your program on all their cars and receive just as
much PR for being involved. We believe this is a great trade and they will also volunteer to help
with the program. It is in their best interest to be involved. If your program gets too large they
may help your program train new recruits since they probably have former retired sheriffs or
police officers on staff or perhaps a local security company is owned by a former police chief.
FLOWER COMPANIES: Usually have delivery vans, which deliver to offices
and homes. These vans park in small retail center parking lots at night. This fact
helps the center from viability standpoint; it makes the arson scouting out the
scene think twice. The owners of Flower Shops are involved in all kinds of
things. If your group needs money to buy more Neighborhood Arson Mobile
Watch Signs, they would surely have the contact name to get you in the door. No
arson would ever suspect a Flower Van to be a mobile watch vehicle.
DOMINOS PIZZA FRANCHISEES: Domino’s founder in building his
company always made it a goal of his company to help out the community. For
this reason nearly all their franchisees feel obligated to help in good causes. Their franchisees
feel a strong commitment towards those ideals and that is one of the reasons that attracted them
to the business in the first place. Dominos can be a great asset because on Friday and Saturday
nights a single store may many pizzas. You may find that they need a number of signs, two for
each car driven on those nights. Dominos Pizza will also put a flyer on top of every box of Pizza
they deliver during the initial inauguration of the program. This way you will alert thousands of
people at their homes about the new program. Since 10 % of the population are small business
owners or self employed you may find that you will hit a couple of hundred more potential
mobile watchers. If you do not have a Dominos Pizza Franchisee find another food delivery
company or pizza place to help.
MERRY MAIDS FRANCHISEES: This maid service franchise is part
of Service Master and also part of TruGreen-ChemLawn, American Home
Inspections, and other residential and commercial service franchises. The

Service Master Franchise system’s original Founder, Marion Wade, was quite a great community
spirited leader. Although the corporate culture has changed significantly, you find Merry Maids
and Service Master franchisees as cooperative, helpful and committed. We have had success
with them in the past and they tend to have many crews of cleaners throughout most towns.
LOCAL MAID SERVICES: These small businesses drive around and have scheduled routes
for each day of the week. This program is something they will enjoy doing and they will be a
very positive influence on the group. Most of these small business owners are very street smart
and they know what is going on around town, who is doing what, and can easily spot out
suspicious behavior down the street. They will feel very happy to added to your group and have
lots of contacts around town.
TITLE SERVICE COMPANIES: Title services have reps, which drive around all day and
deliver documents and collect signatures, mingle with Realtors, and return the information and
drop off literature. They will know which Realtors are most likely to want to join the program.
A title company may have many reps thus many cars driving around helping the important
exposure of the efforts. The title reps are usually GQ type guys and pleasant looking young
women and make great people for your photo ops and press release pictures. These reps put on
more miles than the police officers on their patrol cars. If you want a JFK looking individual for
your press releases now you have one.
POOL SERVICE COMPANIES: Most of these small business people have many pools on
their weekly routes. Some are commercial such as hotels, and apartments, but most are
residential, thus bringing them into many neighborhoods each week. They will get a pretty good
sense of the areas they work and the kinds of people that live there, this makes it easy for them to
spot something out of place. Pool Service companies are great for you program, so find as many
of these people as you can.
LANDSCAPERS: In America where many families have two bread-winners, the landscape
business has flourished. It is not uncommon for a landscape company to have many units on the
road. In rural areas they may be servicing non-resident properties. With these companies it is
better to have stickers than magnets. They will lose magnets and you will have to replace them.
They will have both commercial and residential customers, so they will be in shopping centers,
business parks, government buildings, parks, golf courses, and housing areas. They are
everywhere on a set schedule and very visible. Try to pick the Landscapers with the best image
and the nicest and cleanest trucks. Remember they can also help by cutting back vegetation and
if they know the serious nature of the problem this year, this maybe a winning combination.
TRANSPORTATION COMPANIES: Look in the phone book. They will take the PR and
spread it around their Industry and use the public relations to help their businesses. That is fine
because you will now have many units on the road with your signs, driving everywhere. It is
said in an election that a bumper sticker is worth the same as $200.00 in print media. Imagine
what all these signs are worth in free advertising. When these transportation companies PR
themselves in trade journals it may give another community a chance to prevent the catastrophic
loss we are in our town. Another plus is that the drivers of all these vehicles are in constant
contact with their dispatcher and if they see anything they will call it in. Remember also that the

drivers of these vehicles sit up higher than in regular cars and can see over walls and fences, thus
another advantage
CONSTRUCTION COMPANIES: The owners of construction companies will be tough to get
to a meeting, but are more than willing to join the team and help with a look out. Construction
people are also worried about crime due to materials leaving the job sites, vandalism of job sites
and loss of tools out of their trucks. They understand the problems and are more than willing to
get in and help anyway they can. They despise arsonists because they are worried about their
own projects too. They are a great resource. They tend to be on the streets early in the mornings
and can help you with area coverage in early hours. They are always on their way to the coffee
shops, materials pick up or picking up workers. They have always been an asset to the Arson
Watch Teams.
PAINTING COMPANIES: Are usually run by owner operators
and have many accounts from commercial buildings to income
properties to residential and each job lasts a few days to a week and
then they move to the next job around the town. Of course they run
their businesses by cellular phone from the job sites. It pays for them
to know lots of people because it is mainly a referral type business.
You will be doing them a favor by asking the to participate and they
normally will accept with no problem. They understand the nature of
referrals to get their next jobs so they will also know how to refer more
volunteers to the program.
WINDOW WASHING COMPANIES: These companies work in a
very low cost, high volume business and know everybody in town, and certainly nearly every
business owner or manager on their routes. At $1-2 per pane, they must do a lot of windows to
make money. They leave their vehicles in parking lots all over town for 20 minutes to 2 hours
and move on. Some do residential as well. Parking in neighborhoods for the same time periods
or longer. They are a great source for flyer distribution to merchants, retailers, etc. If you decide
to have a Poster program, they can have those posters up all over town in days on the windows of
businesses. Join us; “Neighborhood Arson Watch Program.” It is a good way to build your
arson watch program into a neighborhood watch program for those businesses that are not
mobile to spread the word.
SNOW REMOVAL COMPANIES: They are driving around and out and about when
everyone else in inside and toasty. They are out even when the arsonists are not. But just incase
the arsonist does come out in the cold weather your team is still working and helping police with
extra eyes. Many times the arsonist will case the place first, they may do this at any time. The
police have much more important emergencies to take care of when the weather gets that bad. In
the summer time the snow removal companies have other jobs and will also be willing to display
the sign. They should have the training anyway in case of vehicle accidents they will see.
GARAGE DOOR COMPANIES: These companies deliver, install and repair garage doors in
neighborhoods. It behooves these companies to participate because neighbors will not think they

are stealing when they come to someone’s house if they have the neighborhood Arson Mobile
Watch sign on their trucks. So they are very apt to join the program and participate. They rely
on referrals from other contractors, and can also help build your program in size and number of
units on the road.
SIGNAGE COMPANIES: Since these companies make signs, and are in touch with the
highest group of image conscience businesses in town, they can prove to also be a great recruiter
of the most quality companies. If they also do vehicle signage then you will find that they have
many leads for potential recruits to the program. They may even be inclined to give the program
signs at their cost.
SOIL TESTING COMPANIES: Soil companies are out at vacant lots before and during
construction as well as closed businesses and vacant buildings doing environmental sampling of
soil for potential buyers of properties, banks and planning departments. They may witness
stealing of construction materials, graffiti, vandalism and squatters of abandoned buildings.
They tend to have many trucks that go out into the field. They can also alert the fire department
as to properties that are not maintained and have dry grass build-up or debris that can be
potential fuel for fires.
AUTO PARTS COMPANIES: These companies drive around all day to dealerships, auto
maintenance facilities, utility companies. They have many drivers, two-way dispatch and cover
lots of territories. Their vehicles are driven by young high energy people who can really add
excitement to the groups.
MOBILE VETS AND DOG GROOMERS: These business owners are usually small
independents and have a sense of community pride. They are in gated communities as well as
residential neighborhoods. They know animal people, ranchers, horse owners, animal rescue
groups. They park in neighborhoods for hours tending to sick and injured animals or do
grooming. They can also assist the group in devising a strategic plan to get the animals out in
case of fire and places to keep animals safe and return them to their owners after fires or threats
of fires. It pays to plan ahead.
MILK MAN: These delivery drivers are up early and can easily help
cover residential areas in wee hours of the morning and also go to
institutional facilities and are happy to help. A typical dairy may have many
trucks driving around.
BREAD COMPANIES: These delivery drivers are up early and can
easily help cover retail business areas in wee hours of the morning and also
go to institutional facilities and are happy to help. Their product pick-up
areas are in Industrial areas or lower income areas for the most part and
since they start at 3:30-4:00 am in the morning they can also be a look out in
those areas of your city. They deliver behind grocery stores, C-stores,
General Stores and businesses all day until about one to two pm. Their varied schedule makes
them perfect candidates for our program.

BEVERAGE DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES: These beverage companies go to gas stations,
mini-marts, grocery stores, c-stores, bars, institutions, and are usually involved with all types of
community activities; fairs, events, schools, etc. They need to remain in a positive light with
local public relations. Many times their leadership of their company is involved in local service
clubs, and chamber of commerce committees and non-profit kids groups on the board of
directors. They maybe a source of on going funding for meetings and signage.
CARPET CLEANING COMPANIES: There are many carpet-cleaning companies, both
franchisees and independents, and all of them should be in the program. You can use this to your
advantage. Sign up one company and use it to try to sign up the rest of them. If every van which
cleans carpets has a sign then there will not be a day when any given neighborhood goes without
at least one visit from a member of the Neighborhood Arson Mobile Watch Program.
SCREEN MOBILE FRANCHISEES: The Founder of The Screen Mobile Franchise System
has reviewed this plan and has agreed to have his franchisees participate. It is a close-knit group
and will be very easy to recruit them and have them recruit their industry contacts in
construction, interior decorating and local window cleaners. Check to see if this franchise is
represented in your area, if not it is a good franchise so tell a friend about it and add it to your
group.
TOW COMPANIES: Tow companies are very well connected
directly into the police department’s, ambulance’s and fire
department’s radio system, they have scanners and are listening to
things like getaways and hit and runs and just might see that bad
guy fly by. They can also help because they are 24 hours, 7 days a
week service. And they are very visible.
UNITED STATES POST OFFICE: Normally the USPS will not put stickers on their LLVs
(Long Life Vehicles) but the contract carriers who deliver the mail to their post office will. Also
think about the number of mail vehicles? They will participate and you can have your local
community police person, fire department or USDAFS representative contact the postmaster and
set up a 30 minute meeting to explain to the carriers the importance of the program and then
these mail carriers will become your stealth group. No one knows they are in the program but
you. And they cover the whole city every work day. Most mail carriers now carry cell phones.
TRASH COMPANY: The trash company covers the whole town once per week. That is
extremely great coverage. In some areas they cover twice a week, such as certain business
districts. They also handle haul away containers at construction sites and have supervisors who
cruise around all day with customer service issues and safety programs. All trucks have two-way
radio to dispatchers. This group should also have a meeting especially for them at their facility
to train drivers of the program.
CABLE COMPANY: Cable companies like other utility companies must remain in a good
consumer light and establish a strong public relations program. This neighborhood arson mobile
watch is exactly up that alley. The other great thing about them is they can advertise their

participation on the community channel bulletin board and in public service announcements on
their local stations. Cable companies may also be willing to ask of volunteers to the program
though their mass media advantage point.
GAS COMPANY: The gas company can really be of great service. They have meter readers
that go into neighborhood with scanning devises to read meters and some still have walkers,
which go into the actual yards of residents. They may also be willing to put into their bills that
they are helping with your neighborhood arson mobile watch program thus helping alert
consumers and public of this program.
ELECTRIC COMPANY: Electric companies have employees who are often in boom trucks
and are at a great vantage point looking down at situations from 30 feet in the air. All the while
they have two-way communication via walkie-talkie. They tend to have some of the largest fleets
in the area and have lots of divisions, which do everything from installation to customer service
and education. While on the boom trucks or near power poles the act as a temporary look out
and might see smoke first.
UTILITY COMPANY: There are other utility companies in different areas covering a wide
variety of services. Different areas have special needs and have utility companies set up to serve
those needs. Check to see in your phone book if you have other utility companies, which are not
listed here that can help with your program, it’s coverage, and scope.
BUS COMPANY: Bus companies working with the towns
are also under a little bit of pressure to promote the public
good. You can use this to your advantage. They often have
team meetings with their drivers. This is a good time to have
the fire department or police community relations officer come
in and give a talk. Even if they are reluctant to put the signs on
the buses, they can still be a great driving force to the success
of you local program. Contact them and ask for their
participation.
AMBULANCE COMPANY: Ambulance companies during high traffic times will often
strategically place themselves in shopping centers or fast food restaurant lots near their service
zone. So they can get to the scene of an accident quicker. They remain on-call during this time,
and wait with nothing to do. Why not have them observe the scene around that area? They are
in two-way communication with all fire departments and law enforcement departments and
hospital. They are young people who care and have lots of training. Perfect for our Arson
Watch Team.

MILITARY RECRUITERS: Military recruiter's main focus is to recruit from the local
population. They must interact with young people in their communities, therefore they become
great judges of character. They know when a teenager is just acting tough just to be part of a
larger future problem such as arson. They also park their cars in shopping centers and recruiting
stations all day. They are looked up to by the high-energy youth. The same kids that may cause
problems may become great members of our society.
ANIMAL CONTROL: Animal control employees are most likely to find out about things
going on in the community in their travels to neighborhoods. Many animal control vehicles have
light bars on top of the vehicle. They are trained to observe and a spot runaway animals, during
these observations they may also see other things which are out of place.
CODE ENFORCEMENT: Code enforcement personnel are usually called out by complaints.
The same complaints may turn out to be more serious than the actual the original complaint.
Enforcement personnel are good because they will not report non-suspicious behavior, they have
seen it all and know what is and is not a real problems. Each town or city may have one or more
code enforcement personnel, which will help you increase the number of vehicles in called in the
neighborhood arson mobile watch patrol.
EPA INSPECTORS: EPA inspectors go to many commercial and industrial sites each day.
They often see graffiti, the dumping of 55 gallon drums, vandalism, etc. EPA inspectors are also
good because they drive 4-door sedans that look official and have an emblem on the side. They
also can read body language and understand suspicious behavior. They often wear uniforms of
some type and have badges when they need to open the wallet and flash them. They also will
find build up and debris of potential fuel for or the cause of, a fire
WATER TREATMENT PLANT: Treatment Plants often have vehicles and are happy to
improve their image with the public. One of the most important things we have as part of our
infrastructure and which accounts for a huge part of municipal budgets are these plants. They
are constantly chasing parts to and from the facility to hardware stores and industrial part
companies. This in itself is a huge network of individuals. And these plants spend big bucks and
if they were to suggest that a parts company sign up for the neighborhood arson mobile watch
program for the part companies delivery truck they would be hard pressed to decline since 20%
of their sales comes from those types of treatment plants.
FIRE DEPARTMENT: These are people who can really help, whether or not they put the
sign on the vehicles. Firemen are active sports enthusiasts and always carry communication.
Walke-talkies or cell phones. The fire department has chiefs and executive departments with
vehicles too. The executive department is very political and
has to stay involved. They are so good at public relations and
this gives them the platform they need to meet people, because
if a fire breaks out, and they need to evacuate, time is of the
essence and people need to heed the warning and trust their
judgment.

PROBATION DEPARTMENT: Probation Department will be glad to help you with these
programs. They tend to know many of the bad apples in the area and their friends. They often
make social work house calls and meet with parents and loved ones. They are very much in
touch with what is going on in your area. It is important to include them into your program,
whether or not they put the sign on the cars.
STORM WATER PROGRAM: Storm water program personnel are somewhat of a new trend.
They are in charge of making sure that only rain water goes into a storm drain, they work very
closely with the code enforcement department in the city and sometimes share the same
responsibilities. Illegal dumping and pollution are something else that happens too often in our
rural areas. It also gives them a chance to work more closely with law enforcement and helps
them have teeth in their jobs to stop the pollution.
DEPARTMENT OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES: These vehicles do every thing from go to
gas stations to measure that the pump does not cheat you to groceries to make sure that your
produce scales work properly. Therefore they tend to be around the town on a non-consistent,
non-scheduled, surprise visit basis. Making it unpredictable when and where they will be. Thus
helping the nature of finding arsonists and keeping people honest.
NATIONAL GUARD ARMORY: These outlets can help you with a grand opening bringing
in a tank, or Hummer, or troop carrier. They have many vehicles that drive around and do
errands to run the facilities. Also this will help educate thousands of weekend warriors as to
your new program. They are a great resource and some day they may even save the lives of all
the people in the town during times of natural disaster, terrorist threat or civil unrest. Good
people to have on any team and a public relations officer assigned to these things with a budget
too. There are many times during large fires that these people are called to help in the mainline
defense, they probably would rather not be called up to fight a fire, so they enjoy the idea of
prevention.
COLLEGE DISTRICTS: College districts are great because that is where students are;
students have energy and want to change the World. This helps educate them that of our new
program. They make great volunteers for future community endeavors and have great ideas.
Colleges tend to have large budgets and much facility needs and therefore have all kinds of
equipment and vehicles. They have ride on lawn mowers, street sweepers, supervisory cars,
sports department transportation, utility pickups, etc. This program will help curb some of that
crime and make the kids responsible and part of the solution instead. It introduces them to the
notion of community volunteerism and if a fire breaks out there will be much needed clean-up
help, these colleges, their labor and equipment can sure come in handy and they will PR their
help in their newsletter to the powers to be in their academia world.
UNIVERSITIES: Universities have their own campus police, as well as there own set of
problems. They are well aware of what happens on campus and are willing to participate to
mitigate any negative PR that may have occurred in the past at their school. It shows they are
doing something very proactive and also helps nearby residence feel safer. Universities should
welcome this program and even wish to modify it to fit their needs on campus. Great, let them, it

is about working together, not who thought of the idea or who gets credit for it. Our job is to
prevent fires and allow for the most rapid response in the event lightening strikes.

M E E T I N G A G E N D A
FIRST MEETING AGENDA (SAMPLE)
THE 5 ARSON MOBILE WATCH COMMANDMENTS:
1. Participants have no police powers.
2. Participants will always obey laws.
3. Participants will OBSERVE and REPORT suspicious behavior. This is a non-
confrontational program.
4. Participants will call first and attack small fires immediately after pin-pointing
locations to authorities.
5. Participants will not try to extinguish large fires or block access.
HAND OUT POCKET PROCEDURE MANUALS THAT OUTLINES:
1. Do’s and Don’ts
2. When to call 911 vs. when to call non-emergency dispatch
3. What constitutes suspicious circumstances
4. Phone numbers
5. Fire fighting techniques for small brush fires
6. When to back off and get out
EXPLAIN TO PARTICIPANTS:
1. How to quickly notice vehicle descriptions, license plates, and suspect descriptions.
2. Show a video from dispatch that discusses the procedure for calling dispatch.
3. Importance of program during dry years.
4. Show videos on camp fires and brush fires.
5. Explanation of lightening started fires
6. Discuss how to protect a crime scene.
7. Optional Truck Mounted Spray Rigs.

P R O G R A M S I N O P E R A T I O N
If you decide to start a Neighborhood Arson Mobile Watch program in your area, please let
us know. We would love to be able to add more success stories here. For questions about
starting a Neighborhood Mobile Watch program, or to be included in this book as a resource,
please contact: Lance Winslow III, 1-800-879-TRUE, or MobileWatch@lancewinslow.org

A B O U T T H E A U T H O R
Lance Winslow is the founder and President of WashGuy.com and the Orderawash.com
network, which is nearly completed, and was formerly President and Founder of Car Wash Guys
International, Inc. He has operated three other mobile washing businesses. From 1979 until
1984, Lance operated an aircraft washing service at three different airports under the names
Speedy Waxers and Aero Speed Waxing. These companies were sold to finance Aero-Auto
Wash in 1985. From 1981 to 1985 he also sold aircraft under the name Speedy Aircraft Finders,
became a private pilot at age seventeen and started the world's first aircraft multi-listing service.
During this time, Lance was also the Western Regional Advertising Representative for a major
general aviation newspaper. He then operated Aero-Auto Wash until April 1990 and in June of
1989 Lance Winslow founded The Car Wash Guys. He later decided to capitalize on his concept
and franchise. He created Car Wash Guys, International for this purpose. It was later
determined, after 3 years of franchising, that the market potential of the washing industry was
clearly underestimated. Lance estimates the industry potential at several hundred billion dollars.
To tap into some of this potential, and in honor of the new millennium, Lance created
WashGuy.com.
Lance Winslow and his team, over the past decade, has
washed for nearly all the fortune 500 companies.
His team has also washed for the U.S. Air Force, FBI,
California Air National Guard, small charter outfits, FBO’s and
flying clubs. They have experience washing trains, boats, heavy
equipment, concrete and graffiti removal.
Lance’s Uncle is a Battalion Chief for an inmate fire
fighting unit in the mountains above Central Valley, CA. His
uncle has served in this capacity for nearly 20 years.
Lance was a Junior Olympic AAU track and field champion
starting at age ten which culminated into a track scholarship to college.
During his youth, Lance posted four consecutive years of no defeats.
He continues running to this day. In high school Lance was class
president, four-year varsity letterman and voted Most Likely To
Succeed. He was President of his high school's Future Business
Leaders of America club and Chess club. In the past five years, Lance
personally has assisted non-profit groups in raising over $500,000 in
funds for their organizations. In 1995 he rode his bicycle from Oregon
to Mexico in six days in a pledge drive for the Special Olympics. He
was Deputy Grand Marshall and Honorary Sheriff for the county’s
largest parade. Lance has been active in the Optimist Club International

A B O U T T H E A U T H O R
and Kiwanis Clubs. He understands local politics having run in two consecutive elections for a
city council seat. Lance was appointed to the county’s Council on Economic Vitality. He also
served on the California Association of Governments. He founded the Neighborhood Mobile
Watch Patrol which involves small businesses, chambers of commerce, police departments and
cities. The entire program is privately funded. He also introduced a program where local
businesses could sell their wares on the Internet, providing jobs, additional revenue for civic
groups and increased sales volumes for many local merchants.
During the aftermath of the Northridge, California
earthquake Lance reconstructed a water purification plant for
Unilab, a medical clinical laboratory-testing corporation. His
innovation in marketing has propelled The Car Wash Guys to
celebrity status in many cities. Known for this enthusiasm,
exuberance and motivation, Lance Winslow is a sought after
speaker for MBA programs at top colleges and universities.
However, he says, "My first and foremost responsibility is to
The Car Wash Guys team."
Following exhaustive research and comprehensive comparisons of franchise case law,
legislative updates and hundred’s of other franchisor documents, Lance wrote his own Uniform
Franchise Offering Circular (UFOC), Franchisee Agreement with all exhibits. The ninety plus
page legal document was approved by the California Department of Corporations in three
working days. A feat never done before in California. Lance became a franchisor at age thirty-
two.
Lance was previously elected to The Board of Directors
of the American Association of Franchises and Dealers
(AAFD). He also served on the Fair Franchising Standards
Committee. This committee advises the Federal Trade
Commission (FTC) and various Senate sub-committees on law
changes necessary to protect franchisees. Car Wash Guys
International, Inc. was also a member of the International
Franchise Association, but left due to a difference in beliefs
regarding the Internet and modern day franchising. Lance also
consults with Susan Kezios, President of the (AFA) American Franchisee Association and
Founder of Women In Franchising. Lance's dedication to the franchising industry has also
attracted other franchise leaders, such as Lou Gurnick, Lance's mentor and sole franchise
consultant. Lou helped found Midas Muffler, was a consultant to Ray Kroc and assisted Tom
Monahan in taking Dominos Pizza to Europe. Lou has over 50 years experience in franchising.
Lance has also co-authored the book "Franchising 101" published by Dearborn. This book is co-
sponsored and distributed by the Association of Small Business Development Centers (ASBDC).
Over one million copies were sold and distributed to individuals attending government run
seminars and who are interested in starting a business or buying a franchise. Lance Winslow also
authored a book "How To Run A Successful Car Wash Fundraiser" which is geared towards
helping non-profit groups raise money. It will be on the shelves of most large retail bookstores

A B O U T T H E A U T H O R Page 21
soon, as well as an abridged version available on The Car Wash Guys web site. We are also
negotiating with Iuniverse.com to make this book available to the world.
Lance led Car Wash Guys International through the rigorous screening of the United
States Small Business Administration (SBA) to become an approved franchisor eligible for
franchisee funding. A task that fewer than eight percent (less than 250) of all franchisors have
accomplished.
Lance was 100% owner of Car Wash Guys International, Inc. up until the day it was closed. He
doesn't have to answer to stockholders, partners or venture capitalists; only to his team members,
that’s you, the franchisee.
Lance has added modules to WashGuy.com. These modules include: House Wash Guys,
Aircraft Wash Guys, Awning Wash Guys, Graffiti Control Guys, Deck Wash Guys, boat Wash
Guys, Tractor Wash Guys, Window Wash Guys, Mini-blind Wash Guys, and Concrete Wash
Guys.
Lance Winslow is organizing his own Foundation to help with important issues in the
world for the betterment of all man kind. For more information go to: www.lancewinslow.org .
Lance and his team are conducting test markets of the following additions to the team:
mobile oil change trucks, mobile bed-liners and other coatings, fixed site car washes, 8-bay
detailing super centers, truck detailing shops, pontoon boat washing units, and chemical snow
removal units. He is engineering an electric powered hydro-cushioned car wash truck.
Lance and his team are working on two books:
"The Power of Presence - Brand Name Marketing Warfare"
"Perseverance x1010
- One Man's Vision, an Entire Team's Destiny"

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