How to Organize a Neighborhood Watch Group in Six Steps

Does your neighborhood have a Watch Group program set up to protect the residents and their property? If not, it is a great idea to start one! This article will cover the basic steps for organizing a Neighborhood Watch Group.

A Neighborhood Watch Group links citizens with law enforcement agencies in a concerted effort to prevent crime. It is also an opportunity for communities to bond through service. Now, more than ever, law enforcement agencies need citizens to engage their eyes and ears to report criminal activity early and accurately to help keep our neighborhoods a safe place to live.

Step 1 – for Organizing a Watch Group – Talk to Your Neighbors and Rally Support

Determine a date and time for a neighborhood meeting and invite neighbors to attend for the purpose of discussing the need for having a Neighborhood Watch Program. Explain the benefits of organizing and maintaining a Watch Group which include a) a reduction in crime, b) having a partnership with local law enforcement, c) a more secure and safe community, and) a more unified and bonded community. Find out if there is a genuine interest from your neighbors about starting a Watch Group. A Watch Group will be effective only if the majority of the community realizes the need for it, and is willing to be an active participant.

Step 2 – for Organizing a Watch Group – Talk to Law Enforcement

After meeting with neighbors to gauge interest in organizing a Watch Group, the next step is to contact your local law enforcement department’s crime prevention officer for help. Discuss the size and boundaries of the area for the program and obtain the necessary paperwork and guidelines to register your Neighborhood Watch Group once it is established.

Step 3 – for Organizing a Watch Group – Select a Coordinator or Block Captain

Select someone to serve as coordinator and/or block captain to be responsible for setting up meetings and distributing important information to residents. Keep track of community issues discussed and the action plans formed at each meeting and provide notes to residents by paper copy or through emails. Keep members of the Neighborhood Watch Group informed at all times to keep them in the loop and interested in the project of keeping their neighborhood safe!

Step 4 – for Organizing a Watch Group – Set up a First Official Organizational Meeting

Set a time and location for the “initial” organizational meeting and invite a crime prevention officer from your local law enforcement agency to attend. Together with the street, block, apartment complex, or sub-division residents he or she can help organize the group and provide training in security and personal safety. Design a simple flyer to announce the first organizational meeting time, date, and location. Recruit older children or teens in the neighborhood to hand deliver invitations to each home in the community.

Step 5 – for Maintaining a Watch Group – Hold Regular Meetings and Train

By holding regular meetings, you will be able to stay abreast of residents concerns, bounce ideas off of each other, and form a tighter bond with your neighbors. Continued training at meetings is also helpful to effectively maintain the program and to make the neighborhood as safe as possible. Stay in touch with local law enforcement officials about crime rates, types of crimes to look for, and any new information they may have on better ways to keep your community safe. Don’t be shy about asking for their help. Law enforcement will appreciate your efforts in aiding them by helping deter and detect crimes in your area!

Step 6 -for Maintaining a Watch Group – Register Your Neighborhood Watch Group Program

The benefit of registering your Watch Group with the national database is to receive helpful resources and information you need to have your own successful Neighborhood Watch Group. You can obtain a manual with helpful information on starting a group, brochures and much more from the Publication Library located on www. Usaonwatch.org. You may also signup to receive a newsletter when registering that keeps you informed of what other Watch Groups are doing. To register your Neighborhood Watch Group program click here Signup Watch.

The strength and ability of citizens is an awesome source that needs to be tapped. By being involved in a Neighborhood Watch Program we are saying “We care about making our surroundings as safe as possible, and we are willing to step up to the plate to help law enforcement deter and detect crime before we or our neighbors become victims!” Let’s all do what we can!
Additional related articles by this author:

When and How to Report Suspicious Activity to Law Enforcement

Spartanburg, SC Law Enforcement Holds Workshop on Home Invasions and Offers Tips

Sources:

http://www.usaonwatch.org/

http://www.ncpc.org/topics/preparedness/strategies/strategy-starting-neighborhood-watch-groups


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