Community Watch, Block Watch, Crime Watch, Neighborhood Watch — whatever the name, it’s one of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce fear. It forges bonds among area residents, reduce burglaries and robberies, and improves relations between police and the community they serve. Why Community Watch?
• A Community Watch program helps foster a good working relationship w
ith police through effective communications, and allows the police to get to know the citizens personally through effective community policing efforts. The goal is to keep neigh- borhoods safe and eliminate repeat calls to residences.
• It works! Across the country, dramatic decreases in burglary and related offenses are reported by law enforcement in communities with active Community Watch groups.
• In today’s transient society, communities may be less personal. Many families have two working parents, and children are involved in many activities that keep them away from home. An empty house in a neighborhood where none of the neighbors know the owner is a prime target for burglary.
• Community Watch also helps build pride and serves as a springboard for efforts that address other community concerns such as recreation for youth and affordable housing. Any community resident can join – young and old, single and married, renter and homeowner. Even the busiest of people can belong to a community watch group – they can keep an eye out for neighbors as they come and go. What Does a Community Watch Do? Our Community Watch is neighbors helping neighbors. They are extra eyes and ears for reporting crime and helping neighbors. Members meet their neighbors, learn how to make their homes more secure, watch out for each other and the area, and report activity that raises their suspicions to the police department.
