Considering Organizing a Neighborhood Watch Program? HERE’S WHAT TO KNOW AND HOW TO GET STARTED: 1. Involve Neighbors The first step in organizing a Neighborhood Watch program is connecting with the neighbors. Watch programs typically outline a geographic area that will be included in the program. It’s advisable to keep the group relatively small, limiting it to a several-block area or a manageable number of homes. Once an area is defined, homeowners can be contacted to see if they are interested in participating. Participation is usually organized by appointing Block Captains for each group of 10-20 houses. Each Block Captain reports to a Program Coordinator. 2. Coordinate with the Police Department or Local Community Safety Office Your local police department or community safety office will have resources for setting up and coordinating a Neighborhood Watch program. They will likely have a police representative who can come to a neighborhood meeting to discuss a plan and answer questions. If you and your neighbors are thinking of starting a Neighborhood Watch program, reaching out and scheduling a meeting with a local officer is the next step. You can also set up a virtual meeting so neighbors can join from their homes or watch a recording later.
3. Follow Guidelines & Best Practices For a Neighborhood Watch program to succeed, it’s essential to work closely with local police or community safety officers to establish clear guidelines on how community members should respond to various situations. Request resources from these authorities that explain when to call the police and whether to use emergency or non- emergency lines, ensuring everyone is informed and aligned with best practices. Additionally, consult with your local safety office about the best ways to disseminate information quickly within the community, such as setting up a phone tree. 4. Address Neighborhood Concerns Working within the community and with the police department means communicating about neighborhood concerns. If the streets are too dark, there’s been an increase in theft, trash dumping, or property being vandalized, the police need to know to increase patrols. Most Watch programs create a small community fund and obtain “Neighborhood Watch” signs to post around the area. This will deter potential criminals and remind homeowners to participate. A standardized newsletter, email listserv, or online social network can be created to regularly share news with your neighbors, such an introduction to newcomers in the neighborhood, safety information from the police department, tips for securing the home, upcoming meetings and community activities, concerns, and anything else your community would like to share or know more about.
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