neighborhood watch

A Checklist for starting a neighborhood watch program.

You Will Need:

• A person or group of people committed to starting a Neighborhood Watch.
• A planning committee to initiate the program.
• A list of what issues initially need to be addressed in your community.
• A means of communicating with the residents, e.g., e-mail, fliers, telephone trees.
• Publicity for the initial Neighborhood Watch meeting.
• A meeting agenda to keep things moving and on track.
• A place to meet-resident's house or apartment, community center, school, library.
• A crime prevention officer to discuss the crime issues in the neighborhood and to help train members.
• A map of the community with spaces for names, addresses, and phone numbers of all households.
• Brochures or other materials on topics of interest to the residents.
• A sign-up sheet for those interested in becoming block or building captains.
• Neighborhood Watch signs to be posted around the community. Some jurisdictions require a minimum number of participants before Neighborhood Watch signs can be posted.
• Facts about crime in your neighborhood. (These can be found in police reports, and newspapers)

To Add Excitement:

• Mix business with pleasure - allow attendees time to socialize.
• Seek out neighborhood go-getters - civic leaders and elected officials to be your advocates and mentors.
• Work with such existing organizations as citizens' association, tenants' association, or housing authorities.
• Provide speakers on topics of community interest.
• Link crime prevention into activities promoted by other groups: child protection, anti-vandalism projects, community service, arson prevention, recreation activities for young people.
• Start a neighborhood newsletter.

To Build Partnerships:

• Police Departments and Sheriffs' office's endorsement is critical to a Watch group's credibility. These agencies are the major sources of information on local crime patterns, crime prevention education, and crime reporting.
• Local businesses and organizations can help provide fliers and a newsletter, offer meeting places, and distribute crime prevention information. Ask an electronics store to donate cellular phones.
• Libraries can provide research materials, videos, computers, and meeting space.
• Media can aid Neighborhood Watches by publicizing recruitment drives.
• Look to volunteer centers, parent groups, and labor unions for advice on recruiting volunteers.
• Teenagers are valuable resources. They can be an integral part of a citizens' patrol including biking and rollerblading to scout the neighborhood.
• Places of worship can provide meeting space and a good source of volunteers.