Most homeowners feel that ensuring the safety of the community is a top priority. For this reason, neighborhood watches emerge. A neighborhood watch is typically self–managed, although police involvement is common. Whether your community has a standing neighborhood watch or you’re hoping to spearhead one in your neighborhood, here are some things to think about.
Tips for starting a successful neighborhood watch program
- Start a Web site. Include community crime statistics, links to nearby neighborhood watch plans and local safety concerns
- Incorporate a social aspect into your Web site so neighbors can communicate with one another about pertinent issue regarding neighborhood safety
- Collect a small group of neighbors to serve as a planning committee. Work together to determine a timeline for the setup of the neighborhood watch and to set goals.
Tips for maintaining a successful neighborhood watch
- Communication is key. Stay in touch with your local law enforcement agency regarding the happenings in your community.
- Hold monthly meetings, or bi–monthly if your community’s safety concerns are more severe. Take minutes of the meetings and offer them up to residents, government officials and police departments in your area.
- Prepare maps and emergency contact. Block leaders – homeowners willing to be the main point of contact for surrounding neighbors should an issue arise. Distribute maps, addresses, phone number and email addresses – of those willing to be listed – so neighbors can contact neighbors with ease.
Tips for self–protection
- Utilize outdoor security lighting at night.
- If you leave town, hold your mail and ask a trusted neighbor to pick up your papers, take out the trash, etc. You don’t’ want to advertise the fact that you’re out of town.
- Keep you trees, shrubs and lawn neat in order to maintain clear lines of sight outside the home.
- Maintain your home’s security systems, window locks and door locks at all times.
Most of the time, a community’s police force is enough to keep crime at bay; it never hurts to have extra sets of eyes on the scene. The more neighbors involved it the watch program, the more thorough the safety. Keep open communication a the forefront to ensure a successful watch.
