Steve Mimbs Chief of Police

Crime Prevention Community Relations Division Jane Meier Neighborhood Watch First Meeting

What is a Neighborhood Watch? A voluntary program organized by concerned citizens to reduce crime and improve living conditions in their communities.

Watch Groups Are extra and for reporting crime and suspicious behavior to law enforcement. it’s one of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime.

A criminal’s job gets a lot tougher in a neighborhood where people are watching out for each other. Phone Tree Citizens Patrol Improving Conditions Crime Prevention Training

Protecting Your Home Home Security Watch Groups

“Broken Window” theory Neighborhoods that neglect minor signs of decay and disorder are opening the door to crime. One un-repaired broken window is a signal that no one cares

Neighborhood Watch Citizen Crime Watch Block Watch Home Alert Crime Watchers Neighborhood Crime Watch ? ? ? ??

Get To Know Your Neighbors Neighbors are often the first to spot problems

Getting Started Form a planning committee Inform law enforcement Identify any problems Invite neighbors Meeting Agenda

First “Watch” Meeting Introductions Explanation of NW Attendance / Data Watch Coordinator Block Captains

NW Chairperson Set up initial meeting Obtain block captains and set up data files Liaison between neighborhood and law enforcement Disseminate information to Block Captains Schedule location for meetings Welcome new neighbors and tell them about NW Keep master list of participants and emergency contact

Block Captains The Block Captain is responsible for a designated area Encourage neighborhood participation Disseminate information Assist Neighborhood Watch chairperson Welcome new neighbors The duties of the block captain will offer very little change in lifestyle for the citizen involved. Rather, it will provide a means for meeting your neighbors as well as a vehicle for making your community a safer place to live.

Benefits of a Neighborhood Watch Program Education and Training by Law Enforcement Unites the Community Reduces the Risk of Being a Crime Victim Unites the Community and increases neighborhood cohesion Looking Out for Each Other Prevents and Reduces Crime Reduces fear of Crime in the Community Improves crime reporting by citizens Greater Access to Criminal Activity Information

The “Watch” Meetings Suspicious people Suspicious vehicles Suspicious activity Neighborhood restoration How to report a crime Protecting Your Home Protecting Your Vehicle Lighting / Landscaping Identity Theft Personal Safety Training and Education

Questions ???????