Community Watch

A Community Watch program offers citizens the ability to work with law enforcement to prevent, and rid, communities of vandalism and crime. Proven to be one of the most effective and least costly answers to crime, Community Watches encourage residents to join together and be aware of activities around them in their daily lives.

Community Watch is a crime prevention program that enlists the active participation of citizens in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime in their communities.

Why Start a Community Watch Program?

Law enforcement officers cannot be in every neighborhood twenty-four hours a day, so citizen involvement is necessary to combat crime. You and your neighbors are the ones who really know what's going on in your community, and by you and your neighbors working together as well as with local law enforcement, citizens can help fight crime. Your involvement is key in deterring and fighting crime in your community.

How to Start a Community Watch Program

1. Contact us about starting a Community Watch Program. We can assist with information, materials and technical advice.
2. Schedule a meeting with your neighbors in a church, home, community building, volunteer fire department or other location.
3. Invite us to speak at your original meeting to help get your Community Watch program started.
4. Contact every resident in your community and invite them to the meeting. Do this by making door-to-door visits, phone calls, or mailing flyers.
5. Hold your meeting.

Community Watch Activities

OPEARTION I.D. - This program involves engraving your valuable personal property with your Driver's License Number. This makes it easier to identify property if it is stolen.

COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP - Get neighbors involved in a community clean-up day. You are working to clean up crime, and clean up the community as well. Make the community safe as well as a beautiful place to live.

VICTIM ASSISTANCE - Should one of your neighbors be victimized, you can know how to help that person. Contact us for more information.

COMMUNITY WATCH SIGNS - Purchase Community Watch signs. This will help identify your community as a place where citizens look out for each other.

SAFE HOUSE - This is a house in the community where children can go if they feel frightened or threatened.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT - Communities participate in National Night Out Against Crime. Neighbors come together and celebrate their drive to stop crime in their community.

AWARENESS PROGRAMS - There may be some specific crime problem in your neighborhood that your Community Watch group wants to target. Educate your members on such topics as:

• Drug Abuse Prevention
• Sexual Abuse Prevention
• Child Abuse Prevention
• Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
• and many others. Don't limit yourselves!

Remember: - Criminals go to areas where they feel safe and secure. They avoid neighborhoods where they are likely to get caught and be watched. When they are not wanted or welcomed, they go someplace else. Start a Community Watch Program today and help prevent crime in your community. The Community Watch Program works when people get involved and stay involved.