New Home Communities | Neighborhood Watch was started by the National Sheriffs’ Association more than 40 years ago, and it’s still going strong. The program enjoys great success because, in addition to empowering citizens to fight crime, it also strengthens bonds with law enforcement and gives neighbors a chance to get to know one another.
Although Neighborhood Watch can be particularly effective in high crime areas, it’s a crime prevention tool every community should embrace. In fact, the best time to form a Neighborhood Watch program is before your community starts experiencing crime.
If you want to start a Neighborhood Watch program in your community, this eight-step guide from SafeWise will get you started.
Step 1. Understand the benefits of Neighborhood Watch.
Before you can get others interested in forming a Neighborhood Watch, you need to understand what it’s all about. Research the program’s history and learn how it can benefit your neighborhood. Commit a few “talking points” to memory so you can quickly and effectively pitch the program to community members. Use the wealth of resources on the National Neighborhood Watch Institute website for inspiration.
Step 2. Rally your neighbors.
Now that you’re armed with the benefits of the program, it’s time to rally those who live in your community. Here are a few tips for getting the word out about Neighborhood Watch.
- Hold a meeting.
Create an “invitation,” noting the date, time and meeting place, as well as a brief outline of how your community can benefit from Neighborhood Watch. Pass the invitation out in your neighborhood, at the bus stop and post it at popular gathering places. - Meet your neighbors.
Visit the homes in your neighborhood and talk face to face with your neighbors. Explain what you’re trying to do, and why. Gather names and contact information of those who are interested in being a part of your Neighborhood Watch. - Leverage social media.
A Facebook page can be an effective tool for disseminating information about the program and generating discussion about neighborhood crime concerns.
Step 3. Enlist the help of local law enforcement.
SafeWise recommends establishing a relationship with law enforcement right from the get-go to lay the foundation for a mutually beneficial relationship. Contact your local law enforcement agency and ask an officer to attend your first Neighborhood Watch meeting. Ask the officer to give tips on how to launch a successful program and tell your group what crimes are occurring in your community. Ask if there’s a successful Neighborhood Watch program in the area that your group can emulate and use it as a resource.
Step 4. Open the floor to community concerns.
From abandoned vehicles to break-ins, each member of your community likely has a concern. A community concerns meeting is the best place to get them out in the open. Invite every member of your neighborhood to attend. Lay these ground rules so the discussion stays focused, positive and productive.
- Follow an agenda. Encourage residents to submit their concerns to you prior to the meeting, so you can create an agenda. Once the agenda topics have been covered, open up the floor to additional concerns.
- Agree to disagree. Community meetings can get heated. Before discussions begin, remind all participants to treat each other with respect.
- Listen respectfully. Every member of your community deserves to be heard. If the group is chatting while a resident has the floor, ask them to hold their comments until the speaker is finished.
- No finger pointing. Blaming a community member or group for a problem only worsens it. Put an end to blaming as soon as it begins or your meeting may spiral out of control.
- Ensure everyone gets a turn. Some topics will require more time for discussion than others, however it’s a good idea to set a time limit so one topic (or one person) doesn’t dominate the meeting.
Step 5. Encourage neighbors to be proactive.
The entire community benefits when each homeowner takes a proactive approach to security. Talk with your neighbors about beefing up their home security and taking steps to make your neighborhood a safer place. This can include everything from getting locks on fence gates to installing home security systems.
Step 6. Create an action plan.
For your Neighborhood Watch program to be successful, residents need guidelines. From outlining how your group will communicate to how residents can report crime, a detailed action plan will ensure nothing slips between the cracks.
Step 7. Conduct regular meetings.
When it comes to encouraging participation, consistency is key. Meet on a regular basis to talk about concerns, get together with law enforcement and discuss the program’s strategies and goals. Set a specific date and time each month so your neighbors can make plans to attend.
Step 8. Harness technology.
The Neighborhood Watch App can be a powerful tool for fight crime. The app works on iPhone, Blackberry and Android platforms and allows users to do things like share suspicious activity and crime concerns with other members of their Neighborhood Watch, as well as report crime to law enforcement. Mini training videos, tips on starting and expanding your Neighborhood Watch and expert insights on crime prevention are more features that can benefit your community. - Redfin
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