Neighborhood Watch Program Information

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Conducting the First Meeting Arrive early at the first meeting to introduce the crime prevention officer and help everyone become acquainted. Following the officer's presentation, ask for details concerning any area of the NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH program that may not be clear, such as benefits of membership, training programs, availability of signs and materials, etc. Discuss the results of the neighborhood crime survey. Revealing information about crimes and suspicious incidents or activities in your area can often generate lively discussion and active commitment to the program. Set clear, achievable goals for your program. Your crime prevention officer can offer insight into what your new group can realistically expect to accomplish. Start a list of names, addresses, phone numbers, and vehicle descriptions of those who decide to participate in the program. You may also want to include names and ages of their children, work and school schedules, and whether or not their homes have burglar alarms or timers on lights. While some of this information may seem somewhat personal to neighbors who have just met, it is essential that they make a commitment to the WATCH effort at this state and agree to work together. Choose high visibility NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH signs and decals to identify participating homes and streets (the cost can be divided among households). Your crime prevention officer may assist you in ordering materials, but he may want to postpone this option until a good percentage of the residents have agreed to participate and ample training has been conducted. Discuss program coordination; explain the responsibilities of the NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH Coordinator and the block captains. Proceed with nominations and election of persons (or designation of volunteers) to fill these positions. Ask the officer to suggest topics and speakers for future meetings. Inquire about security inspections for participants' homes (many departments offer this service). Determine time and place of next meeting. The members of the group should determine how often they will meet, but to keep the momentum going during the start-up phase, it is best to schedule monthly meetings. Some of the most successful WATCH programs require members' attendance during the first three to five meetings. these meetings are essential in organizing and training the participants, supplying them with crime prevention procedures, and reinforcing the NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH concepts and commitment. These meetings are also instrumental in establishing a bond between group members.