No More Thieves

Starting a neighborhood watch program only takes one or two people recognizing the need and interested in doing a few things required to institute the program.

Most community police departments have neighborhood watch program starter kits that contain easy step-by-step guidelines to follow and tips to insure your program gets started correctly.

The first step is to define the area your program will cover. Enlist one or more interested residents to contact neighbors to invite them to the organizational meeting. Basic knowledge of the work schedules and family activity commitments of those in the area will be helpful in deciding when and where to schedule the initial meeting. The initial meeting should follow a written agenda to be delivered by a designated attendee. The meeting should be no longer than one hour.

Contact law enforcement to invite a representative to the meeting to briefly discuss existing and potential problems in the neighborhood from their prospective and to offer suggestions regarding the formation of committees and training or tips involved in affective neighborhood monitoring needs and duties.

Along with deciding the time and place for the next meeting, follow the designated guidelines to register your group with the National Sheriff’s Association.