Full Notification

A crime watch program is an organization of concerned citizens working together as good neighbors to reduce the crime in their neighborhood. Crime watch programs take many forms, but in all cases, organization by blocks is the cornerstone of all citizens’ crime prevention programs. Natural neighborhood boundaries such as major streets, creeks, or parks may further define the neighborhood. The following guidelines will help establish a successful crime watch.

Procedures

1. Contact the crime watch officer at your substation. Crime watch efforts should be coordination through the substation NPO Unit, to avoid duplication of efforts. Explain that you would like to start a crime watch (neighborhood, apartment, or business) and ask for any assistance that the DPD might offer.

2. Discuss the size and boundaries of the area considered for the program. The NPO Unit officer will know where the boundaries of other groups end and may have suggestions for a manageable area if your neighborhood boundaries are not readily defines. Although the police department generally recommends that each crime watch group cover a complete reporting area, in practice reporting area boundaries often are not the same as natural neighborhood boundaries. Apartment or business crime watch boundaries are usually more easily determined.

3. Talk with neighbors and friends in the area. Ask for their participation in a small core group to take the first steps. Explain the need for and the value of a crime watch. Decide on the exact boundaries of the area to be organized.

4. Some of the substations have crime watch support groups in which experienced crime watch chairpersons have volunteered to answer questions and act as mentors to new crime watch groups. Ask your crime watch officer if he or she can put you in touch with the CWEB representative of your division, who is willing to advise you.

5. Review the Crime Watch manual available from the NPO Unit officer to become familiar with the duties of the crime watch chairperson, section coordinators, block captains, and participants so that you will be able to answer questions. Always be on the alert to recruit interested volunteers.

6. The officer will be able to provide actual crime information for your area. Become familiar with the crime statistics. Armed with this knowledge, convincing neighbors of the need for a crime watch will be easier. Often neighbors are not aware of the extent of crime in the area.

7. Plan the first neighborhood meeting. Choose a date and time that will be convenient for most neighbors and the police representative. Choose a convenient location known to most neighbors such as a school auditorium or church. Encourage neighbors to bring refreshments to help “break the ice”. (Be mindful that a lot of your participants may have just had a hard day at work or around the house, so you want to try to phrase these meetings in such a manner that it reads as more of a social gathering with neighbors of like minds; rather than a formal business meeting.) THE PRESENCE OF A UNIFORMED OFFICER IS KEY!!!!

8. Advise the NPO Unit officer of the date, time, and location of the first meeting so the NPO Unit officer can attend and help to ensure a smooth start to the Crime Watch group.