Neighborhood Watch

No doubt about it. Possibly your very best weapon in your arsenal against becoming a victim of crime, especially crime against your home, is your participation in your local neighborhood watch.

Surveillance cameras, good locks, strong doors and security gates are of crucial importance, but the most effective thing you can do to beat the burglar is to join your local community watch - the eyes and ears.

Almost certainly there will be a group covering your area, if not, start one. Don't wait for someone else to take the initiative, it's too important for that, you do it.

It may be obvious that there is a watch covering your block, or area, by the presence of neighborhood watch signs, stickers or posters. If you don't see posters there may be a local group anyway. Ask your neighbor, if that neighbor doesn't know ask another, maybe a neighbor you haven't spoken with before.

Inquire at your local police station. They will be able to give you details and let you know who to contact. They will also give you full details about starting a group should your area not have one. Your local law enforcement may also be able to offer help in organizing and training, give advice on home security, the best way to report suspicious behavior and prevent crime.

Organize an introductory meeting to establish interest. Invite everyone that you know and encourage them to also invite neighbors along. If at all possible, invite someone from an area that does have a block or neighborhood watch to give a short talk about how his, or her, group has been able to reduce crime. Discuss what has been happening locally, can you identify particular crime issues?

Your neighborhood watch can mean eyes watching your home even when you are away.

Ask for volunteers for specific tasks such as organizing, report writing, recruiting, distributing flyers, a secretary, a treasurer etc. Find out which members are willing to offer use of their homes for meetings and work out a schedule. Find out which members have special skills that can be of use to the group. Allow everyone an opportunity to say a little bit about themselves, their experiences, how they feel about the community and any expectations and ideas they have for the neighborhood watch.

Discuss whether a neighborhood patrol is needed and seek the approval and input of your local law enforcement.

Get other groups that have an interest in the area on board, local businesses, clergy, youth leaders, local officials, schools, rotary clubs etc. There is a ton of help out there, use it.

Retirees George and Mary had very recently moved into the rural town, having sold up in the city. They had left behind a reasonably spacious four bedroom house which had become to large for their needs now that their two daughters were living independent lives of their own.

They loved their choice of country home and the town seemed to meet all their requirements. They did not know a soul in the area but as they were a “keep ourselves to ourselves couple,” they did not overly worry about that.

George and Mary had noticed the neighborhood watch signs when they had viewed the property. And now that they had moved in they saw that the signs were all over the town. Mary made a mental note to inquire about joining the watch. They had always thought of themselves as being a security conscious couple, but Mary could see that neighbor looking after neighbor could not be a bad thing. Not that she thought that crime in the small, smart town would be worse than the city they left behind, but neither she nor George were getting younger and having folks looking out for them would be comforting. But who to ask about neighborhood watch?

Mary need not have worried on that score. A few days after taking up residence they received a visit from Diane, a close neighbor and a member of the watch. Diane explained a little of how the neighborhood group functioned, the success the group had enjoyed in tackling vandalism, graffiti and a spate of thefts from garages, and invited the pair along to the next meeting which was scheduled for that Friday.

Diane offered to call on George and Mary and walk with them along to the school hall where the meeting was being held. They thanked her but said they would make their own way, the hall being only a few blocks along. Diane was there to meet them anyway and introduced them to several members who made the couple feel most welcomed.

Soon it was time for attendees to take their seats and the meeting began. Someone reported on the progress the watch had made since the last meeting, including the success the neighborhood group had achieved in getting street lighting improved in a particular location.

Next up was a speaker who gave a talk about distraction burglary. George listened intently. He had always been very careful when opening the door to unknown callers, and was forever urging Mary to exercise the same caution, but that night he learned more than he thought he could possibly know about the dangers. He made himself the promise that from now on the couple would actually use the door chain when they had unknown callers.

After input from a few other speakers the neighborhood watch meeting came to a close, after which there was some time for social interaction. George and Mary didn’t need to discuss the issue amongst themselves. They singed up to join the watch there and then. Within a few short months the couple were certain that becoming part of the eyes and ears was one of the best decisions they had ever taken. They felt more secure and safe in their new home and town than they had ever felt in any of their previous residences and became very enthusiastic and active in their membership of the neighborhood watch.

A Neighborhood Watch. . .

• Deters crime, including – burglary, auto theft, mugging, sexual assault and rape, vandalism, physical assault, stalking, anti-social behavior, drug and alcohol abuse.
• Reduces the fear of crime.
• Educates residents on the best ways to observe and report any suspicious activity.
• Helps to build links between members of the community.
• Helps develop pride in the community.
• Reduces the cost of crime, both psychological and financial.
• Encourages neighbor looking after neighbor.
• Fosters community problem solving.
• Strengthens the community both socially and economically.

A neighborhood watch is an equally effective crime deterrent in village, town or city. Watches can be established around streets, blocks, apartment buildings, public housing projects, campuses, business areas or marinas.

Neighborhood watch works!

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