Neighborhood Watch - Summary

Remember, neighborhoods are made up of people who have the power to protect each other's safety. By reporting any suspicious circumstances to law enforcement agencies, members of a NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH actually increase their own safety.

Police cannot fight crime they do not know about. When alert citizens keep them informed, the police are far more effective against crime - and citizens have better protection and safer neighborhoods. Join your neighbors to organize a NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH program in your community.

You'll be protecting your own home and your own safety. Keep your Neighborhood Watch active. Respond to your neighbor’s needs as you would have them respond to yours. Assisting the police in protecting you and your neighbors is your civic duty.

Know Your Neighbors

One of the first steps of Neighborhood Watch is getting to know your neighbors. Whether you prefer to do so at a block meeting or one-on-one is up to you, but it is important that you share information about the composition of your households and activities. By doing so you make it easier for your block members to recognize and respond to suspicious activities when they occur. This site has three methods that you can use to share information with each other.

Discuss strengths and weaknesses of your block with your neighbors including visibility, areas of high daytime vacancy, who has watchdogs, routine activities, etc. You and your neighbors should keep block information records in a safe, accessible place.

The more information you share with each other, the better you are able to recognize when something suspicious is occurring. Most burglars "case out" a residence, paying attention to schedules, activities and alertness of neighbors. If a burglar strives to become familiar with patterns on your block, shouldn't you be familiar with them as well? Even up the odds between you and the potential thief!

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Duties of Community Crime Watch Members:
- Watch out for all vehicles, not just vans and trucks. Passenger cars, expensive, and inexpensive are also used by thieves. Be prepared with the license number of the car. Write down a general description of the car.
- Tell your neighbors when you are having work done, or when you are going to be away from home, even for a short trip. Become familiar with your neighbors cars. Any cars that you do not recognize should be considered suspect.
- Report suspicious vehicles to a neighborhood watch local web site, do not call law enforcement unless you are reporting an actual crime, or threatening situation.
- Do not give out any information about your home or family over the phone.
- Do not advertises that you are living alone.
- Do not open your doors to strangers. Demand proper identification.
- Burglars know all the hiding places. Do not leave, or hide house keys outside of your house, or give keys to a repairman.
- Install double cylinder dead bold locks. Sliding glass doors should always be secured with a pin-type locking device or a "Charlie bar."
- Keep garage doors closed and locked. Lock up any tools that can be used for entering your home.
- When you leave make your home look occupied.
- A barking dog is one of the most effective burglar alarms.
- Get Involved.

Please feel free to email us with additional items at Email: contact@GCCIhome.com We will be pleased to add your items to our list.

Click here for the duties of the block captains and coordinators. See below for a full list of articles and checklists concerning neighborhood watch programs.

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Neighborhood Watch Programs

General Info Checklist Getting Started Coordinator-Block Captain Block Members

Maintaining Your Program Summary