How to Organize a Neighborhood Watch
Neighborhood watch groups are a common way that community members try to curb criminal activity and create a safe environment to live in. But someone needs to take the initiative in starting these organizations for them to have an effect on a community. Here are some things you can do to start your own neighborhood watch.
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Instructions
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Talk to your neighbors and people that you know in your community. Gauge their interest in such an organization and see if they would be willing to give you a hand. This will provide you with an idea of how many people might be willing to participate and give you a chance to hear their thoughts and ideas. Get their phones numbers and email addresses if you do not already have them. You want to start building an address book of people that want to get involved.
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Contact your local police department. The police often assign officers to act as liaison to neighborhood watch groups. These officers can give you ideas, help with organizing meetings and events and instruct members how to keep the community safe without endangering themselves.
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Make some flyers and post them around the area. Make sure you include the date, time and location of your first meeting. You should also place directions on the flyers. Try places with high traffic and visibility. Places like gyms, churches, schools and bus stops are common places for this.
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Explain why you want to start a neighborhood watch and what you hope to accomplish to everyone who attends your first meeting. Ask them for their help and to spread the word to people that are not present. You should also ask a representative of your local police department to attend the meeting and offer assistance. During the meeting, ask people in attendance for ideas, to share concerns and if they are willing to make a commitment to the organization. Before the end of the meeting get contact information so you can stay in touch as the group is formed.
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Create a website for the neighborhood watch group. Include on the site a mission statement, contact information for yourself and local authorities, any scheduled meetings and a summary of what was covered at the first meeting. You can also find space on the site for tips and advice from the police about how to make your neighborhood safer. If you want to encourage participation and interaction between community members, try including a blog or Internet bulletin board where people can post ideas and concerns and discuss relevant community issues.
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Tips & Warnings
Neighborhood watch groups are meant to improve the safety of a community, but this is not the only step that can be taken. An efficient home alarm system is also an effective way of improving both your safety and the overall neighborhood's safety. Thieves are more likely to move on from neighborhoods where most homes have alarm systems.
Remember that neighborhood watch groups are not members of the police department. There are areas that these groups can provide valuable community service in, and there are others that should be left to law enforcement. Never confront a criminal by yourself. Leave the dangerous work to the police who are trained for it.
