About the Neighborhood Watch
Neighborhood Watch programs enable local law enforcement agencies to partner with community residents to better secure homes and automobiles, prepare for disasters, and coordinate emergency response needs. These programs are easy to establish or join. Training is provided for community leaders by law enforcement personnel.
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History
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The National Neighborhood Watch Program was established in 1972 by the National Sheriff's Association (NSA) to assist citizens and law enforcement in the effort to create safer neighborhoods.
This program enjoyed great success and was re-launched in 2002 as USAonWatch® by the NSA, USA Freedom Corps, Citizen Corps and the US Department of Justice. The new program focuses on crime prevention, disaster preparedness, emergency response and many other facets of neighborhood safety.
Purpose
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A Neighborhood Watch program extends the eyes and ears of the police force to provide constant local surveillance. Police cannot be everywhere at once, but they can teach residents the best methods for securing their homes and automobiles. Residents are the best line of defense in safeguarding homes and communities, watching out for suspicious activity, and reporting crimes as soon as they happen.
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How to Start
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A coalition of neighbors or a local business can instigate a Neighborhood Watch program. Start by discussing the needs of the community, evaluating the level of community interest, and picking a time and place for the first official meeting.
Before the meeting, contact the local police department or sheriff's office to notify them of your intent to start a Neighborhood Watch. The department will supply an officer who will attend the first meeting. This officer will provide the initial training for Neighborhood Watch volunteers.
A Neighborhood Watch program is only valid if it maintains a partnership with a law enforcement agency. Once this partnership has been established, community members can pair with local business representatives, government agencies and other organizations to create a successful Neighborhood Watch program.
How to Join
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USAonWatch® maintains a national Neighborhood Watch registry on their website at usaonwatch.org/find/watches.aspx?. The tool on this site enables residents to find existing Neighborhood Watch programs based on zip code, state and county searches.
If it is more convenient, call a local law enforcement agency to inquire about local Neighborhood Watches. The agency should be aware of any existing programs.
Once an existing program has been located, attend the next meeting to sign up as a volunteer.
Training
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Training for leading Neighborhood Watch volunteers is provided by law enforcement personnel. The class is designed to train the leaders of the program who will in turn train the other volunteers.
Training covers many important safety and management topics, and provides the leaders of the local program with The Neighborhood Watch Toolkit. The Toolkit includes six CDs with PowerPoint training aids, facilitator guides, participant handbooks, posters, community guides and several flipbooks.
Special presentations are offered for volunteers who are designated Area Coordinators and Block Captains.
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