Neighborhood Watch

Who's Your Neighbor?

Get to know your neighbors and the benefits to starting a Neighborhood Crime Watch in your neighborhood.

A Neighborhood Watch Group is a strong deterrent to crime in your neighborhood. It's a collaborative effort between the police, you and your neighbors to reduce criminal opportunity in your neighborhood. The crime prevention steps you and your neighbors take as a group are just as important as the things you do individually in deterring burglary, theft, vandalism and other crimes.

Neighborhood Watch is a free crime prevention program that is offered to community members. It is a great way to not only keep your neighborhood safe, but to also build positive relationships with your neighbors. Concerned residents are the best assets any police department has in fighting crime. 

The Neighborhood Watch program was developed to train and educate residents in ways to be involved, stay informed and work together with their neighbors and address mutual concerns and find solutions. By working together we can make sure our community stays a safe place to live and work.

Why start a Neighborhood Watch?

• To let criminals know you watch and will call 9-1-1
• To have Neighborhood Watch signs at the entrance to your neighborhood
• To have more informed neighbors who know what to look for and will call 9-1-1
• To stay updated on crimes and trends in the area

Starting a Neighborhood Watch

• Gage the interest of your neighbors
• You will need 50% of the houses to participate (usually about 10-15 houses)
• Decide where your neighborhood boundaries will be
• If areas are larger, sub-groups can be formed
• The Police Department's Crime Prevention Unit can help if you have questions
• Set up an initial meeting (approximately 1 hour)
• Can be hosted in a home, garage, driveway, backyard or at a park
• Representatives from the police department will conduct the meeting pertaining to: 
  • How and when to report which activities to the police department and when to call 9-1-1
  • Security measures for homes
  • The importance of a home inventory list
  • Current crime trends in your area
  • Questions and concerns of residents
  • Selection of a Block Captain, or contact person

After becoming a Neighborhood Watch

• You are required to meet at least one time per year (a Night to Unite party will count)
• A Crime Prevention Specialist can talk or provide information (if need be), including:
  • Crime trends and neighborhood issues
  • Burglary prevention and home security
  • Identify theft and scam prevention
  • Identify other issues your neighborhood is interested in
  • Share information as received

Contact Sergeant Andy Zabee at 763.635.1200 to start your Neighborhood Watch.