Neighborhood Watch Program Information

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Experimenting with different crime prevention and community service methods is one way of keep your NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH program alive. Having realistic and achievable goals also stimulates participation. Some projects, ideas or program topics you may want to consider for your WATCH Group follow: Citizen Patrols Foot or vehicle patrol may be effective for your group. Two or more individuals, often from the same family, patrol during designated tours of duty and may detect suspicious activity not noticed by stationary observers. Lost children, stranded motorists, stray dogs, damaged street signs or traffic signals, wandering cattle, and automobile accidents are often discovered by citizen patrols. Patrol members should be trained by law enforcement. It should be emphasized to members that they do not possess police powers and they shall not carry weapons or pursue vehicles. They should also be cautioned to alert police or deputies when encountering strange activity. MEMBERS SHOULD NEVER CONFRONT SUSPICOUS PERSONS WHO COULD BE ARMED AND DANGEROUS. As a rule, patrol groups should work in shifts, "sweeping" through the neighborhood periodically. In rural communities, it may be wise to check with neighboring landowners and determine the extent of surveillance they desire; some prefer to have their property observed from a distance, while others welcome patrollers right up to their front doors. Groups may also want to intensify patrol efforts during certain holiday periods (Halloween, Independence Day) or supplement the sheriff or police patrol during its change of the watch. Patrol members should be properly equipped for their duties. For example, flashlights or searchlights are necessary for night patrols. Many mobile patrols use cell phones or two- way radios to contact a citizen -manned base station, which in turn contacts law enforcement officials when necessary. Equipment can be rotated among members going on patrol. WATCH members unable to participate in active patrol can be asked to help in manning base stations for two-way radios or with sharing cost of gasoline and other expenses. (Some service station managers donate gasoline for these citizen patrols.) Patrol Procedures 1. The patrol should be well defined. 2. Only residents of the defined community, at least 18 years old, should participate in the patrol.