How to Start a Neighborhood Crime Watch

A Neighborhood Crime Watch is one of the most effective ways to prevent crime in your area. Here is how to get a Crime Watch started in your Neighborhood.

Instructions

1. 

   Decide on the area the Crime Watch group will be responsible for. It could be a street, block, apartment building, office, neighborhood etc.

2. 

   Contact your local police department and arrange for the Officer in charge of the Neighborhood Crime Watch program to meet with you and others who will be included in the watch area. Invite everyone in the area to attend the meeting. This can be held in your home or community center.

3. Select a block captain and a coordinator to be responsible for welcoming new neighbors and telling them about the program, relaying information to the police and members, organizing meetings and distributing materials.

4. 

   Distribute materials to members. These materials available from the Police Department may include Operation ID stickers (see tips), booklets on how to safeguard property etc. Post a Crime Watch sign in the Neighborhood Crime Watch area to further deter criminals.

5. 

   Draw a simple map of the crime watch area. Include member names and contact information. Distribute one to each family. Update this once a year. Be sure to give this to new families when they move in and to add their contact information.

6. Hold a Neighborhood Crime Watch meeting once a year with your local Police Department's Crime Watch Coordinator to learn new ideas and to reinforce your Neighborhood Crime Watch program.

Tips & Warnings

• Most Police Departments have a Neighborhood Watch Coordinator. If yours does not request a police officer come out to discuss ways neighbors can protect their family and homes.

• Operation ID (Identification) Stickers indicate your property has been marked and make it less attractive to thieves.

• A Neighborhood Crime Watch is not a replacement for the police. Group members keep their eyes and ears open and alert the police and other members to possible problems.

Resources

• How to Mark Your Property with Operation ID
• The Crime Fighter: How You Can Make Your Community Crime Free