| Neighborhood watch programs are one of the best | | | | windows as a visual deterrent to people casing the |
| ways to eliminate crime in your neighborhood. It also | | | | neighborhood. Again this is a method where criminals |
| is a great way to meet the people who live around | | | | will start to find out that they are being watched and |
| you. Police generally support watch programs | | | | their actions are being reported. If a crime is |
| because by stopping crime before it begins makes | | | | committed and a witness gave a description it might |
| their jobs a lot easier. By creating a neighborhood | | | | make it easier to track that individual down if you |
| watch program you are taking a proactive approach | | | | have a database of information on him/her. |
| to policing rather than a reactive. This means that | | | | Communication is key for a neighborhood watch |
| you are making an effort to stop crime before it has | | | | program. Regular meetings should be held either at a |
| been committed. | | | | house or city building. Electing people to do specific |
| One of the best way to start forming a group is to | | | | task is an efficient way of spreading information. You |
| gather a small number of people to start with and go | | | | can use the old fashion method of spreading fliers, or |
| around the neighborhood distributing flyers in an | | | | sending out emails and messages. Pictures are an |
| effort to bring together more. If you contact the | | | | excellent way of reporting activity. With digit |
| city there should be areas available to the public that | | | | cameras if someone takes a photo they can spread |
| you can hold a meeting. In your flyer advertise a | | | | it around that day and within hours people know that |
| meeting where the idea of a group will start. | | | | this person is prowling the area. |
| At the meeting you can find out where people are | | | | Don't be afraid to call the police if you think |
| coming from. Have people provide addresses so you | | | | something is going on. You pay their paychecks with |
| know how many people are interested, how to | | | | taxes, now make them do their work. It's a lot easier |
| contact them and where they live. | | | | for them to catch someone in the act rather than |
| Use technology to your advantage and start an email | | | | trying to find them after the crime has been |
| list so you can keep everyone updated to the day. A | | | | committed. If you live in the city there is a good |
| good idea is to elect someone who will maintain a | | | | chance that they officers live around you so they |
| website or message board and encourage anyone to | | | | are going to take a personal interest in someone |
| post suspicious activity or crimes that were | | | | who is not suppose to be in the area. Use your |
| committed. Criminals do not like to be labeled so if | | | | resources and be as visible as possible. This does not |
| they know people are watching and there description | | | | mean you need to have someone walking up and |
| is being spread around chances are they will move on | | | | down the street with a reflective vest on, but the |
| to someplace new. | | | | better known that people are watching the more |
| You can also place "neighbor watch" signs in your | | | | likely criminals will go for the easier targets. |