HomeMy WebLinkAboutNeighborhood Watch Group - How to StartHOW TO START A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
GROUP
You've heard about the benefits of NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH participation.
You suspect — or know — that there is a crime problem in your area. How do you
get a program started in your neighborhood?
FIRST....
Form a small planning committee of neighbors to discuss needs, the level of
interest, and possible problems. Decide on a date and place for an initial
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH meeting.
NEXT...
Contact your local law enforcement agency. Request that a crime prevention
officer come to a meeting of your group in the near future to discuss
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH and help assess your community's problems and
needs. Inquire about crime statistics for your area, but bear in mind that crime is
typically under -reported. Ask that the officer bring to your meeting a list of local
and national contacts that will assist you in organizing and keeping your program
going along with samples of NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH signs, decals, and
literature.
FINALLY...
Contact as many of your neighbors as possible, asking them:
® If they feel at risk of being burglarized or being the victim of other crimes;
® If they have taken any steps to protect their homes; and
® If they would be willing to attend a meeting to organize a
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH group in your area.
You may be surprised to learn how many of your neighbors' lives have already
been touched by crime!
Planning for a Successful First Meeting
Schedule your kickoff meeting in a place convenient to the neighborhood, such
as a private home, church community building, school or library.
Contact your police department 10 to 14 days in advance and inform officials of
the date and place of the first meeting; verify that an officer will be able to attend.
Seek a commitment from an officer to work with your group, and ask the Chief to
address a letter to all potential NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH members expressing
support.
Draw a large map of all the streets and households to be covered by your
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH organization. Start with a manageable number of
homes at first; you can always add other areas.
Design a flyer or letter of invitation and see that one is delivered to every home
on your target list. Teenagers and Scouts in the neighborhood can play a
valuable role by delivering announcements and information.
Follow up each invitation with a call or personal visit, reminding neighbors of the
meeting time and place. Try to get each household to commit at least one adult
member to the meeting so you can estimate potential attendance. All family
members are welcome to join NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH, as young people can
add substantially to the success of the program. Senior citizen participation is
also a plus; retired seniors are home and can observe the neighborhood when
many other adults are at work.
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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.
After the meeting, plan to distribute literature to residents in the community who
were unable to attend. This may encourage them to be at the next meeting.
asey ieolkeiisen
MVPD Crime Prevention Unlit
Kasey.Keckelsen@ci.mounds-vgew.mn.us
763-717-4076
Dear NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH Participants:
The crime problem in our nation is both costly and demoralizing. Directly or indirectly,
we are all affected by crime that has caused injury, financial loss and intimidation. These
situations demonstrate vividly the need for community involvement and assistance in crime
prevention, reporting and efforts in the NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH Program.
This community based crime prevention program is a simple and direct approach toward
protecting our community from criminal attacks. The program involves the reduction of
criminal opportunity through citizen participation in crime prevention measures such as being
alert and aware, reporting suspicious activity to the police, and initiating actions which reduce
criminal opportunity.
In these times of reported apathy within our communities, it is encouraging to find the
concern and involvement you and your neighbors display with your NEIGHBORHOOD
WATCH efforts. The Mounds View Police Department stands ready to assist and support you
with this program.
Again, I welcome and appreciate your efforts toward making Mounds View a safer place
to live and visit.
Gratefully,
Chief of Police
P.S. For assistance with your area's program, call:
Officer Kasey Keckeisen — 763 717 4078
47
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
It is Time to Stop!!!
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Neighborhood Watch Meeting
Where:
When:
An officer from the MVPD Crime Prevention Unit will be speaking about
how we can protect our homes and our neighbors' homes.
It Takes All of Us to Work Together
On this Project!
Please Try to Attend!
Contact name:_
Contact number:
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