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RayD3 (Nevada)
Posts: 10
Posted:
Due to a Number of recent Home Break-ins, looking to start a Neighborhood Watch Program. Any pointers .If you have one in place---what have been the results.
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:

Ray,
They work awesome as long as you get lots of H.O's in the loop. Our Sheriff of our County was in Iraq and taught the police there how to do security jobs. He got elected by a landslide because security is number one concerns for homeowners. We feel secure knowing that he and his Department AND our homeowners are all involved.
DennisT (Ohio)
Posts: 109
Posted:
Ray:

Just have everyone get their concealed carry licenses and you'll be good to go ;)

In all seriousness though give your local law enforcement agency a call. Many departments (including the one I work for) have an officer assigned to neighborhood watch duty. It's their job to come out to neighborhoods that are interested in starting a program. We do a three meeting program in the first year.

First is a general information meeting that talks about what it is and what it isn't. There's some literature and a short presentation. It's really more of an open house.

Second is a couple weeks later where we come back and talk to those who decided they were interested and answer any questions that came up after the first meeting. At this meeting we also give the neighborhood a block watch sign that they can post up at the community entrance and formally kick off the watch.

Then we have another meeting three to four months later to see how things are going. After that we try to get around to each program once a year but we're always available to come out and talk to new people or just give a refresher.

We've found that we often get more people at the second meeting than the first because word really gets around after the police have been there and handed out some materials, hence the reason we don't start the program the first night.

In terms of the program itself it really boils down to is know your neighbors, know what's normal and what's not, and if you see something, say something.
SharonB6 (Pennsylvania)
Posts: 70
Posted:
We just getting our community watch put together. So far think we have made great progress. First we contacted the state police and they sent somebody over to talk with a few volunteers. Then they gave us a contact. We send him our minutes from every meeting so he knows what is going on in our area. We are considered low crime so they have no reason to be considered about our area unless we make them aware of it. Unfortunately we have had some cars vandalized lately and most people didn't report it. We also requested a drive through our neighborhood once a shift too.

A few things the state trooper told us..
Make sure everybody is aware how to make themselves safe

-Lights
-security system
-keeping doors locked all the time
-beware of big bushes and shrubbery (they hide)
-etc.
-also make sure that at your meetings you get everybody to report any problems or suspicious behavior.
-read the local police blotter.

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