Neighborhood
Watch is a program that has been established to aid not only law
enforcement but also the community, neighborhood, or area implementing
it. It has been found to be both extremely beneficial and successful
when set up and maintained properly. It is a program that brings
a community closer together, in an age when we don’t know our
next door neighbors as well as, giving "extra eyes and ears"
to law enforcement agencies. The program is basically an exchange
of information between neighbors and law enforcement, but must be
set up and maintained in a way that is most beneficial to all persons
involved. Below are some ways to set up and maintain such a program.
- Determine
the need for a program. This is done by the neighborhood, not
law enforcement.
- Determine
the families and residents that are interested in starting such
a program. Interest brings involvement and participation. Contact
the residents to find out if they are interested and willing
to be actively involved.
- Determine
the size of the area to be involved – it must be a size
that can be watched and maintained. Too large or too small of
an area defeats the purpose.
- Contact
local law enforcement and set up a planning/organizational meeting.
Send out flyers and notify, personally, all residents in the
area to be covered of the date, time, and location, of the meeting.
- At the
first meeting, talk with the law enforcement representative,
finding out the state and local laws, discuss problem areas,
what law enforcement wants and expects of you as far as your
involvement and any other topics you might feel necessary. Decide
on "Team Leaders" and set-up times that patrols might
be necessary. Also, prepare information (names of household
members, types of vehicles each normally drives, work and school
schedules, etc.), to let your team leader have for the Neighborhood
Watch files. Decide how often to have meetings (one a month
for a brief time is usually a good "rule of thumb")
and who will be in charge of notifying all residents and inviting
new residents. This can be done by teams if preferred. It is
a good idea to have your law enforcement representative present
for the first few meetings as a "guide" and then every
so often after that. Never hesitate to contact your law enforcement
representative if you have questions or problems
6.
START WATCHING!
For
more information on neighborhood watch visit USAonwatch.org.
|
