Neighborhood Watch
What is Neighborhood Watch?
Neighborhood Watch (NW) is an effective way that citizens can work together with law enforcement to help reduce crimes from occurring in their neighborhoods. NW is not only for neighborhoods, it can work effectively for apartments, condos, or schools. It teaches citizens techniques to reduce the chances of being victimized, how to recognize suspicious activities, it allows neighbors to get to know one another, and it organizes a neighborhood of concerned citizens.Please remember that Neighborhood Watch is not a vigilante force that works outside of law enforcement and joining NW is not a solution to the problems in your community. Never put yourself or members of your family in harms way. Do not take personal risks to prevent crime.
Starting a Neighborhood Watch
Starting a NW Program in your neighborhood is quick and easy. Ask your neighbors if they are interested in starting a group. Hold a meeting and select the Block Captain for your group. Once your group has been established you can vote on having meeting every month, every other month, or quarterly. Meetings do not need to take any longer than 30 minutes.
Once you’ve started your NW group, you need to keep your group active. You can do that by having meeting dedicated to crime prevention topics such as:
- Personal safety
- Gangs
- Fraud
- Identity theft
- Drug / alcohol abuse
- Gun safety
- Self defense
- Having a neighborhood garage sale
- Having a block party
- Checking up on the elderly in your neighborhood
- Carpooling to work or to the store