Forms

Grain Valley Police Department

National Crime Prevention Council

Starting a Neighborhood Watch

Neighborhood Watch, Block Watch, Town Watch, Apartment Watch, Crime Watch – no matter what it’s called, this is one of the most effective and least costly answers to crime. Watch groups are a foundation of community crime prevention; they can be a stepping stone to community revitalization.

Phase One: Getting Started – Meetings, Members, and Maps

Form a small planning committee of neighbors to discuss needs, the level of interest, possible challenges, and the Watch concept.

Contact the local police department or local crime prevention organization to discuss Neighborhood Watch and local crime problems. Invite a law enforcement officer to attend your meeting.

Publicize your meeting at least one week in advance with door-to-door fliers and follow up with phone calls the day before.

Select a meeting place that is accessible to people.

Hold a meeting to gauge neighbors’ interest; establish purpose of program; and begin to identify issues that need to be addressed. Stress that a Watch group is an association of neighbors who look out for each other’s families and property, alert the police to any suspicious activities or crime in progress, and work together to make their community a safer and better place to live.

Phase Two: When the neighborhood decides to adopt the Watch idea

Ask for volunteers who are responsible for relaying information to members on their block, keeping up-to-date information on residents, and making special efforts to involve the elderly, working parents, and young people. Members also can serve as liaisons between the neighborhood and the police and communicate information about meetings and crime incidents to all residents.

Establish a regular means of communicating with Watch members—e.g., newsletter, telephone tree, e-mail, fax, etc.

Prepare a neighborhood map showing names, addresses and phone numbers of participating households and distribute to members. Members keep this map up to date, contacting newcomers to the neighborhood and rechecking occasionally with ongoing participants.

With guidance from a law enforcement agency, the Watch trains its members in home security techniques, observation skills, and crime reporting. Residents also learn about the types of crime that affect the area.

Check with law enforcement to see what the requirements are to participate in the program when obtaining Neighborhood Watch signs. Law enforcement may also be able to provide your program with signs.

Organizers must emphasize that Watch groups are not vigilantes and do not assume the role of the police. They only ask neighbors to be alert, observant, and caring—and to report suspicious activity or crimes immediately to the police.

The Watch concept is adaptable. There are Park Watches, Apartment Watches, Window Watches, Boat Watches, School Watches, Realtor Watches, Utility Watches, and Business Watches. A Watch can be organized around any geographic unit.

Tips for Success

Hold regular meetings to help residents get to know each other and to collectively decide upon program strategies and activities.

Consider linking with an existing organization, such as a citizens’ association community development office, tenants’ association, or housing authority.

Canvas door-to-door to recruit members.

Involve everyone—young and old, single and married, renter and homeowner.

Gain support from the police or sheriff’s office. This is critical to a Watch group’s credibility. These agencies are the major sources of information on local crime patterns, home security, other crime prevention education, and crime reporting.

Get the information out quickly. Share all kinds of news—squash rumors.

Gather the facts about crime in your neighborhood. Police will do victimization surveys, and learn residents’ perceptions about crime. Often residents’ opinions are not supported by facts, and accurate information can reduce fear of crime.

Physical conditions like abandoned cars or overgrown vacant lots contribute to crime. Sponsor cleanups, encourage residents to beautify the area, and ask them to turn on outdoor lights at night.

It’s essential to celebrate the success of the effort and recognize volunteers’ contributions through such events as awards, annual dinners, and parties. To help meet community needs, Neighborhood Watches can sponsor meetings that address broader issues such as drug abuse, gangs, self-protection tactics, isolation of the elderly, crime in the schools, and rape prevention.

Don’t forget events like National Night Out or a potluck dinner that gives neighbors a chance to get together. Such items as pins, t-shirts, hats, or coffee mugs with the group’s name also enhance identity and pride.

Starting a Neighborhood Watch – A Summary:

Characteristics of Successful Neighborhood Watch Groups

Many of the neighbors actively participate. Responsibility is shared and leadership is developed. "Share the work and the rewards".

A method of frequent communication is established.

Law Enforcement has provided technical training.

Activities are social as well as serious.

New neighbors are welcomed to the neighborhood, and invited to join the group.

Crime prevention information is regularly distributed to the members.

A yearly neighborhood watch update meeting is scheduled with law enforcement.

Neighborhood Watch (Basic Breakdown)

Go door-to-door or telephone all neighbors to join your watch group. The larger the number who participate, the more effectively the watch.

Develop a neighborhood directory. By doing this you can contact each other easily if there is a problem.

Take measures to make your home more secure. Double cylinder deadbolt locks and window pins make it more difficult for someone to enter and if they do get in, it makes it more difficult to leave with large items.

Choose block captains. Spread responsibility for making the watch successful.

Assign someone to take notes so there is a record of decisions.

Have you seen drug activity in your neighborhood? Report it to the Jackson County Drug Task Force.