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| Neighborhood Watch |
In cities around the country, neighbors for over three decades have banded together to create these "watch" programs.
They understand that the active participation of neighborhood residents is a critical element in community safety -
not through vigilantism, but simply through a willingness to look out for suspicious activity in their neighborhood,
and report that activity to law enforcement and to each other. In doing so, residents take a major step toward
reclaiming high-crime neighborhoods, as well as making people in all areas of a city or town feel more secure and
less fearful.
In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the need for strengthening and securing our communities has become even
more critical. President Bush has announced that, with the help of the National Sheriffs' Association, the
Neighborhood Watch Program has taken on a new significance. Community residents can obtain information that will
enable them to recognize signs of potential terrorist activity, and to know how to report that activity, making
these residents a critical element in the detection, prevention and disruption of terrorism.
WHAT IS A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH?
Neighborhood Watch is a program of partnership between law enforcement and neighborhoods, aimed at reducing crime,
and more importantly, the fear of crime in our communities.
Simply stated, the Neighborhood Watch Program enables the residents of any community to become EXTRA EYES AND EARS
for Law Enforcement.
WHY DO YOU NEED A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH?
Years ago, neighborhoods were not as transient as they are today; job transfers were not as frequent which allowed
neighbors to develop long lasting relationships in their community. Communities often had that "small town" feeling
with neighbor looking out for neighbor.
Today, few people are in a position to protect their home and property 100% of the time. Employment, vacations,
business trips, shopping trips or just an evening out will leave our homes and valuables unattended, vulnerable to
burglary or theft. The commitment to look out for each other is a key element to the success of a Neighborhood Watch
Program. It’s an invitation to be a good neighbor.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
An effective Neighborhood Watch Program consists of a Coordinator, Block Captains and the residents. We simply ask
you to be observant while conducting your normal everyday activities and to report suspicious activity or crimes in
progress to your local law enforcement agency. You will not be asked to put yourself at risk. Your phone call about
an incident is all that is required.
When reporting a crime, whether it is in progress or one that has already occurred, residents are urged to call
their local law enforcement agency FIRST. Get help on the way.
After that call is made, the resident should then contact their Block Captain, who in turn makes the Coordinator
aware of the situation. The Coordinator then contacts the other Block Captains, who in turn will contact the
residents in their "block".
HOW DO YOU GET STARTED?
The first step towards creation of this program is to contact your neighbors and have them attend a one (1) hour
meeting. Hold the meeting in someone’s home or a library. Contact the Crime Prevention Officer at 386.424.2440 and
a Crime Prevention Practitioner will attend your meeting and explain the program.
At the meeting, residents will hear how Neighborhood Watch works and how to participate. The residents can select
a chairperson, who would then locate volunteer ‘Block Captains’ to assist with distributing material. Each Captain
will receive enough Neighborhood Watch informational packets to distribute for their "block" of residents. A map of
the community would be beneficial when selecting Captains, as one Captain should have about 10-12 residents in his or
her "block".
Community crime prevention programs, such as the Neighborhood Watch, have brought safer, more enjoyable communities
to millions of Americans. The partnership of residents and law enforcement has dispelled the notion that
"nothing works" in the war against crime. Neighborhood Watch members "watch out" and "help out". They reduce
opportunities for crimes and also solve other neighborhood problems, to build community safety and stability.
MAINTAINING THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Once a Neighborhood Watch program has been started, it is vital that it remain active. Maintenance of the program
requires establishing a community stake in crime prevention efforts. Residents are willing to accept responsibility
if they feel part of the program planning, implementation, maintenance and evaluation and if they can see positive
results.
When residents realize that opportunities to report crimes or suspicious activities are not numerous, they may begin
to doubt their usefulness in the Neighborhood Watch. People must feel needed, and their roles must be productive, if
their interest is to be maintained.
Equally important is the role of law enforcement. When law enforcement and the communities join together to co-produce
community safety and satisfaction, programs expand and sustain growth.
Cooperation produces empowered residents - they accept responsibility and use their knowledge and resources to
improve community life. Your local law enforcement agency will continue to support your program and will attend
the Watch meetings to provide updated information on activity in your area. Seminars can be held to help educate
residents on a variety of topics.
Just keep these things in mind... Stop trying so hard. The Neighborhood Watch is a very simple program and does not
require a lot of time. The program does not require continuous group activity. Program maintenance is a continuous
challenge. Your reward? By maintaining a vigorous program you can have a long term effect on crime in your community
and upgrade the quality of life for all. It does take effort, but the rewards are a safer, better community in
which to live and work - well worth it.
IDEAS TO ENHANCE YOUR PROGRAM:
- Motivation - This is key to any successful program. To motivate your residents: Communicate frequently, by
telephone, e-mail, in person, or a newsletter, even if only a one page flyer. Provide public recognition through
annual "award ceremonies" at picnics or outings. Community pride may be a strong motivation in maintaining the
program.
- Open the program to include other issues- Frequently, crime statistics do not coincide with the residents
perceptions and concerns. They may feel disorderly juveniles, litter, speeders, or a lack of recreation activities
for youths are primary concerns. If the neighborhood issues and objectives are given priority, and the residents
have a major role in the planning, it will be easier to obtain and maintain their interest.
- Conduct a community needs survey- Ask residents of the community what they see as problems. Survey the
Block Captains to determine the areas in which they think the program can be improved.
- Set achievable goals- Don’t try to tackle the entire crime problem at once. Concentrate on specific targets;
a group of disorderly juveniles, trash, traffic - plan some activity which can get a quick and effective result.
Once an issue is addressed and solved, residents realize "We can make a difference!" There is strength in numbers.
- Don’t make large demands on their time- Holding too many Neighborhood Watch meetings seems to have a negative
impact with attendance declining. The group should decide the number of meetings and topics covered. For meetings
remember, it’s QUALITY, not Quantity.
REMEMBER-
The Neighborhood Watch program is an awareness program and communication is key to keeping it going; keeping your
neighbors INFORMED will help keep them INVOLVED.
Additional Resources Online:
Edgewater Police Department - http://www.cityofedgewater.org/police
National Crime Prevention Council - http://www.ncpc.org/
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