Neighborhood Watch: Strength In Numbers

Transcription

1 Neighborhood Watch: Strength In Numbers

2 Table of Contents CHAPTER 1: WHAT IS NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH? CHAPTER 2: STARTING A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH THE FIVE STEPS KEEPING THINGS INTERESTING CHAPTER 3: ORGANIZING A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH COMMUNICATION TOOLS CHAPTER 4: CONDUCTING NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEETINGS TRIED AND TESTED INVITATION TIPS CHAPTER 5: COMMUNITY EYES AND EARS COMMUNITY EMERGENCY TRAINING CHAPTER 6: NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH SUPPORT AND SETUP SOURCES

3 CHAPTER 1 What is Neighborhood Watch? Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and best-known crime prevention organizations in North America. It s been around a long time since 1972 and it s a way for communities to band together, in conjunction with law enforcement, to make their neighborhoods safer and improve people s quality of life. Neighborhood Watch groups have regular meetings to set and plan goals, and responsibilities are assigned to group members. Neighborhood Watch is homeland security at the most local level. Neighborhood Watch Activities are a fun way for community members to get to know each other while making a difference. Neighborhood Watch is homeland security at the most local level. WHY IS NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH IMPORTANT? Neighborhood Watch has long been a linchpin for community spirit and getting things done. It s a grass-roots program directed at: Basic Crime Prevention Eliminates opportunities for criminals; Keeps an eye on the community, watching for suspicious behavior. Disaster Preparedness Teaches skills to prepare for man-made and natural disasters. Encourages citizen involvement in preparation and planning. Building a Stronger Community Participants get to know their neighbors, and offer and receive help. The most successful Neighborhood Watch groups expand their concerns beyond crime prevention to include quality of life issues and fun activities to build community spirit. 3

4 KEEPING THINGS INTERESTING: Motivational Neighborhood Watch Activity Ideas INFORMATION SHARING Write your own Neighborhood Watch newsletter. Keep people up to date on crime or other subjects of interest. EXERCISE OR WALKING GROUPS Arrange with some of your neighbors to run, walk. or bike regularly. While doing this you may notice subtle changes or unusual activity in your neighborhood. GARAGE SALE Pitch in together and buy an ad for a big neighborhood sale. You can use the money to purchase signs, radios. and vests for your Neighborhood Watch group. NEIGHBORHOOD CLEAN UP AND LANDSCAPE TRIMMING Rent a dumpster for a weekend. Neighbors can share tools and expertise to help one another. Cap the day with a barbecue or a night of desserts and visiting. WINTER EMERGENCY PLANNING Develop a game plan for emergencies. Who has a gas stove? Four-wheel drive vehicle? Does anyone have special needs? Identify your neighborhood resources. START UP TRAINING SESSIONS Join training sessions given by volunteers. Some suggested topics are community disaster training. CREATIVE POT-LUCK S OR BAR-B-QUES Get together every 3-6 months to reconnect, keep it fun and light. LOCAL INTEREST GROUP Politicians and community service groups could share what is happening with your group. Group Activities Help neighbors trim bushes and trees for better visibility. RECOGNIZING YOUR VOLUNTEERS People need to feel appreciated when they give up time for their community. In order to keep Watch group members involved and excited, take time out to service or a gift for participation. 6

5 WATCH FACTS Neighborhood Watch is also known as Home Alert, Citizen Crime Watch or Block Watch. No matter the name, the idea s the same neighbors looking out for each other. By 2000, roughly 40% of the U.S. residential population was covered by citizen crime-watching programs A New York University report indicates that for every 10 community programs created in a city of 100,000 residents, there s a: 6% DROP in violent crime 4% DROP in property crime 9% DROP in the murder rate CHAPTER 2 Starting a Neighborhood Watch Neighborhood Watch groups are easy to start, and the programs are built upon successful relationships between law enforcement and the community. Initially, you ll have a meeting with your neighbors and include a local law enforcement representative but after that, it will take more effort to maintain interest and keep the group running smoothly. To start, chat to your neighbors to gauge interest, and contact your local law enforcement agency. Many police departments and together. Don t be discouraged by low attendance or lack of interest. Not everyone will be interested in joining your Watch group right away, or understand the need for the group. Continue to invite everyone and update neighbors who aren t involved. As the group grows, more will want to join. THE FIVE STEPS Recruit and organize as many neighbors as possible. Contact your local law enforcement agency and schedule a meeting. Discuss community concerns and develop an action plan. Hold regular meetings and hold training on relevant skills. Implement a phone tree (more on that later) and take action steps. 4

6 WAYS TO IMPLEMENT THE STEPS Step 1 Talk with your fellow neighbors about their concerns regarding crime and safety in the area. The primary concern in the initial phase of forming a Neighborhood Watch is to collect all of the information and develop a strategy to raise the level of awareness about concerns or problems and begin to recruit individuals who want to form the core Watch group. This core group will be responsible for recruiting others, meeting with local law enforcement, and building or revitalizing the Neighborhood Watch program. Step 2 Once the community concerns or neighborhood meet with local law enforcement agency representatives to learn how to work together. the citizens formalize their Neighborhood Watch. They ll register with USAonWatch to become part of the national initiative against crime and terrorism. Step 3 At an early meeting, citizen volunteers may take the initiative to prioritize concerns, and the police or sheriff s department may want to implement crime reduction strategies. Conduct a meeting on strategic planning and identify the concerns and resources available. There objectives and realistic milestones. Step 4 Once the Watch group has been formed, and goals and objectives determined, Watch leaders and citizen volunteers should schedule meetings where they can receive training and hone their skills in crime prevention and community policing. Local law enforcement can help, and citizens can offer important crime and terrorism prevention services once they receive the proper training and instruction. Keep the group active and enthusiastic Step 5 Take active steps in the community so everyone is aware about the Watch. Have a kickoff event to encourage others to get involved Start a Neighborhood Watch newsletter Continue training and emergency drills Most importantly, keep the group active and enthusiastic by maintaining communication between group members and the law enforcement liaison. 5

7 CHAPTER 3 Organizing a Neighborhood Watch Neighborhood Watch groups are organized in a variety of ways. No matter how your Watch is set up, the organizational structure must take into account the needs of the community and law enforcement. A traditional Watch liaison to the group, an area coordinator who lives in the community, block captains spread throughout the community, and watch mem- organizing a Neighborhood Watch is the designation of leadership. These people plan and coordinate activities. It doesn t matter how your Watch group is set up, as long as your community members are excited and good at addressing problems. Law Enforcement Liason NW CHAIN OF COMMAND EXAMPLE Start-up Committe Area Coordinators Block Captains NW Coordinators THE LAW ENFORCEMENT LIAISON At the top of the chain sits the Law Enforcement Liaison. These Neighborhood Watch members are selected because of their previous crime prevention experience or training. Watch should: Learn about the history of the Neighborhood Watch. Collect general information on the community or communities. Examine the geography and boundaries of the area. Examine the demographics and trends of the population. Know the community culture. Collect data on community crime, disorder and quality-of-life issues. 7

8 THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH COORDINATOR The Coordinator s job is crucial to your program s success. This may be just the right job for a retiree or other individual who has extra time at home. This person s responsibilities may include: Expanding the program and maintaining a current list of participants and residents. Acting as liaison between Watch captains. Arranging neighborhood crime prevention training programs. Obtaining and distributing crime prevention materials, such as stickers and signs. prevention projects. Encouraging participation in Operation which personal property is marked legibly with a unique identifying number. THE BLOCK CAPTAIN Block captains are recommended for every houses, and they re involved with their immediate neighbors. Responsibilities may include: Acting as liaison between block residents and the coordinator. Establishing a telephone chain. Inviting new residents to join; notifying them of meetings and trainings. program. Contacting each neighbor to discuss crime, assistance, and program improvement. CITIZENS ADVISORY BOARD Some law enforcement agencies and cities running large Neighborhood Watch groups have arranged for a group of citizens to oversee the groups in a certain area. The Board s responsibilities are: Neighborhood Watch group start-up assistance in other areas. Information, processing, training, and recruiting of groups in non-represented areas. Maintain communications between the Neighborhood Watch groups and the Board. Organize advisory committees as needed. Support and organize fundraising efforts in the community. Maintain a relationship with law enforcement. Bring emerging community issues to the NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH MEMBERS In some neighborhoods, incidents or offenses may not be well known and awareness needs to be built up. The law enforcement liaison and area coordinator can work on this, while Block Captains or Area Coordinators do the recruiting. 8

9 COMMUNICATION TOOLS Phones, and maps are essential communication tools for Neighborhood Watch groups. Here s how they can be handy: PHONE TREES Phone trees are like a family tree network of Neighborhood Watch member contact details. Phone trees can expedite emergency information. Neighborhoods can be divided into small, workable areas using streets or natural boundaries. Each group prepares and updates a chart that includes the names and phone numbers of all members. Each individual listed on the tree knows whom he or she is to contact in an emergency. SOCIAL MEDIA AND The tech age of social media and have made Neighborhood Watch organization much easier. The internet is one of the best ways to get in touch with your neighbors. Your group can organize an list much like that of a phone tree. When an issue in the neighborhood comes up you can contact residents in An electronic newsletter will save copying and mailing costs, can provide essential information, and often may be linked to your local law enforcement agency s homepage. NEIGHBORHOOD MAP A neighborhood map is a powerful tool on a simple sheet of paper. Along with a phone tree, a map can give residents information on where everyone in the neighborhood lives and also put landmarks and distance from house to house into perspective. A map familiarizes Neighborhood Watch members with local families, and addresses any potential dangers during an emergency How Phone Tree Works Someone has urgent information to share about a prowler in the area, so they activate the telephone tree by calling the name at the top the group representative. The representative receives the call and calls the person listed under their name. The last neighbor to receive a call calls the representative to send message received 9

10 CHAPTER 4 Conducting Neighborhood Watch Meetings Building Community Relationships Traditionally, Neighborhood Watch was always about having meetings to discuss crime in the neighborhood, but as the Watch has changed, so have meetings. The key to planning a successful Watch meeting is organization. Watch leaders should be aware that participants are volunteering time out of busy and informative meetings. Inviting Neighbors How you invite people to Neighborhood Watch is important. What would make someone get off the couch after a long day at work to come to a meeting with a group of strangers? People commonly assume Neighborhood Watch means committees, meetings, or having to pay money. Meeting Logistics & Spaces Try to establish a regularly-scheduled meeting day and time. You might meet once a week or needs and availability of the group. Neighborhood schools and faith-based organizations often provide meeting space for groups such as Neighborhood Watch. Remember to use the partnerships you have developed in the community. Invite people from your partner organizations or ask to use their facilities for meetings. TRIED AND TESTED INVITATION TIPS Make your invitation simple and clear. Mention a recent crime as an incentive to attend. Deliver the invitation in person if possible. A face-to-face introduction is more effective. Ask if they could spare only one neighborhood crime. Don t put invitations in postal mail boxes it s illegal. Get a couple of neighbors to walk with you to help deliver invitations. Offer other incentives: food, door prizes, or a chance to win money off rent or homeowners dues. Use social media (Facebook, Twitter) to facilitate communication. 10

11 FACILITATING A MEETING Share the Workload Form a team to actively recruit new members or encourage previous members to attend. Lack of attendance can sometimes be a lack of information. If neighbors are informed about safety and security issues they may be more willing to attend. At the Meeting: Be warm and friendly, making a point to say hello to everyone. Consider holding an informal social time before or after the meeting. Providing name badges. You might also want to consider an meetings. Begin and end on time, and stick to the schedule. Set ground rules, such as time allowed for speaking and adhering to the agenda. Take minutes. The Meeting Facilitator Should: Stay focused on the task at hand to Clearly summarize decisions made and issues that require voting. Direct disagreements so that they do not spiral out of control. Allow each person time to speak. confusion, hidden agendas, and emotions. Set the date, time, and place for the next meeting. After the Meeting After the meeting, review how the meeting went and how it could be improved. Effective meetings will not disappoint those in attendance because it will show that Neighborhood Watch values busy schedules, but encourages people to stay involved. The Watch coordinator or block captains should distribute minutes (or make them available) including details about action items and assignments, persons responsible, and timelines. Each block captain should follow-up with people who did not attend to see if they had questions about anything discussed. This will encourage people to stay involved, even if they can t attend meetings. Alternatives to Meetings With overbooked schedules and new ways to occasionally hold non-traditional meetings. If you can accomplish the same purpose without alternatives such as , phone, online chats, creating a Facebook page, utilizing Twitter to update neighbors, and/or electronic newsletter. In addition to Facebook, a new social media platform called Nextdoor helps to connect neighbors to one another and fosters responsibility for neighborhood safety. The platform also allows law enforcement agencies to target communication in geographical areas member s time. If the information provided in person at the meeting is important and valued, then a meeting is appropriate. CREATIVE MEETING TOPICS Personal safety Safety for the Hearing Impaired Home Security Awareness & Patrol Techniques Observation First Aid/CPR Animal Control Scams Internet Crimes Cultural Awareness/ Diversity Training Emergency Preparedness Defensive Driving Terrorism Awareness & Prevention Presentation Local Fire Station Forest Ranger Mediation Services Helping in Schools Sex Offenders Gang Awareness Drug/Narcotic Awareness 11

12 CHAPTER 5 Community Eyes and Ears NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH DO S AND DON TS Of course, community members only serve as the extra eyes and ears of law enforcement. They should report their observations of suspicious activities to law enforcement, but never try to take action on those observations. Trained law enforcement should be the only ones ever to take action based on observations of suspicious activities. NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH SKILLSET Watch participants build the skills necessary for preventing crime as well as terrorist activity, and prepare for natural/man-made disasters. The National Sheriffs Association offers skill building training through the Neighborhood Watch Toolkit. Other skills you will learn include: Observation Skills Most people go through the day without even noticing everyday events. However beginning to recognize what is normal around you is the as a sixth sense or street smarts. Community members should know they have the ability to recognize unusual events as well. IF YOU SEE SOMETHING SUSPICIOUS Stay calm Remain alert to your surroundings Begin with the basics Broaden your perspective Add detail In Neighborhood Watch, you ll learn to pay attention to things like: Physical setting week. People What do they look like? (height, weight, ethnicity, gender, etc.) How many are there? Routines Did you notice any recurring patterns or routines? How often did they occur? Who was involved? One of the keys to a successful Neighborhood Watch program is using observation skills to keep your neighborhood safe. 12

13 Clothing Skin or eye color Tattoos Scars Moles Height and weight Type of vehicle (SUV/truck etc) Make and model. License plate write it on paper, your hand, or in the dirt! WHAT IS SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY? In Neighborhood Watch, you ll learn to pay attention to things like: A stranger loitering in your neighborhood or a vehicle cruising the streets repeatedly. Someone peering into cars or windows. coming from a home on a daily basis. Someone loitering around schools, parks, or secluded areas. Strange odors coming from a house, building, or vehicle. Open or broken doors and windows at a closed business or unoccupied residence. Someone tampering with electrical, gas, company vehicle or uniform. People arriving or leaving from homes or businesses at unusual hours Multiple people who appear to be working in unison and exhibiting suspicious behaviors. Signs of forced entry or tampering with security or safety systems. By calling to report suspicious persons or activity, you not only aid the police, you make your community a safer place to live. Some people fail to call because they are not aware of activities that might be suspicious. Others may notice suspicious activity and hesitate to call for fear of being labeled a nosy neighbor. Still others take it for granted that someone else has already called. Always report suspicious activity and all crimes because police don t know there s a problem unless they are told. Knowing What and How to Report There are four general categories to consider when determining what to report: Suspicious activities People and vehicles Illegal activities Unusual events or incidents, dangerous situations. By reporting these types of activities and situations, citizens can make their communities safer and more secure, reduce violence, minimize victimization, reduce crime, and improve the overall quality of life. Community 13

14 members must also be instructed on how to report suspicious activity. To report suspicious activities, crimes in progress, or possible terrorist activities, simply: When to call 911 Calling 911 is an important communications tool for emergencies. However, some citizens call 911 in non-emergency situations., which creates issues for emergency services. Here s what Neighborhood Watch teaches us to do: WHEN TO CALL 911 Medical emergency (chest pain, extreme shortness of breath, uncontrolled bleeding). Motor vehicle accident. Fire. When a life is in danger. WHEN NOT TO CALL 911 The power is off. Asking for directions to the hospital. Asking for telephone numbers of others. Requesting to speak with a Inquiring as to the time and day. Inquiring about community activities and locations. For more information about when it is appropriate to call, please contact the non-emergency number of your local law the topic with you. Emergency Preparedness and Homeland Security Since September 11, 2001, the need to strengthen and safeguard communities has become more important than ever. For 35 years, Watch groups have addressed crime prevention issues restored pride to neighborhoods. These days there s a new challenge: helping local residents become a critical element in the detection, prevention, and disruption of terrorism. Vigilance is everyone s responsibility not just government agencies. Disaster can strike quickly. Whether a disaster is a natural event, a technological event, or an act of terrorism, the importance of preparedness is the same. Most people will not run into terrorists or extremists in their daily routine but some have and will. Law enforcement needs the active involvement of citizens to report suspicious activity. Without leads, there are no investigations. Vigilance is everyone s responsibility. Disasters: Are you Ready? out about the classes and training they offer in preparedness. CERT (Community Emergency Response Teams) includes extensive training for citizens on disaster preparedness for the neighborhood. 14

15 NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH IN THE NEWS Neighborhood Watch successes often make the news. From recent examples of Neighborhood Watch that highlight the relevance and importance of the longstanding, community-based program: Community Emergency Training Setting up medical areas. Homeowner's detective work helps police catch porch pirate off Grinch with house watch and increased patrol Gala stresses importance of neighborhood watch 4 Inspect buildings and mark them after inspecting. DISASTER PREPAREDNESS KIT While it may not be fun to think about a local disaster, it s sensible possibly even fun to be prepared. Your Watch group can make Disaster Preparedness fun by holding a meeting to educate on evacuation plans, then take the time to create Preparedness Kits together. Sheriff Asks for Community to Join the Fight Against Crime New crime watch program aims to bring neighbors together Be Prepared 1 2 Have each household buy items in bulk, then share them around to reduce costs. See if local businesses or government agencies can donate supplies to you. 15

16 CHAPTER 6 Neighborhood Watch Support and Setup RESEARCH AND RESOURCES With a history spanning more than 35 years, there are many ways to access materials and support items for Neighborhood Watch. For example, the National Neighborhood Institute website stocks all types of assets including: Home and Personal Security Handbooks Disaster and Survival Handbooks 911 labels Window warning decals Worksheets Operation ID Fridge magnets Product catalog For Neighborhood Watch support materials, resources and information, Watch members can access websites including: NEIGHBOR WATCH NATIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH NATIONAL NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH INSTITUTE NATIONAL CRIME PREVENTION COUNCIL 16

17 REGULAR PEOPLE DOING THEIR PART FOR COMMUNITY Our nation is built on the strength of our citizens. Every day, we encounter situations calling upon us to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement. Not only does Neighborhood Watch allow citizens to help opportunity for communities to bond through service. The Neighborhood Watch Program draws upon the compassion of everyday citizens, asking them to lend their neighbors a hand. Be a contributor in your community and do your part to keep your local area safe. Every effort and observation, however small, could potentially make all the difference. Why not consider becoming a part of Neighborhood Watch? 17

18 Sources me%20facts%20about%20neighborhoo d%20watch.pdf NW_Manual.pdf hows-that-engaged-citizens-helped-driv e-crime-rate-down#//