Neighborhood Watch

For over thirty years, law enforcers and their civilian partners have been working together to reduce crime and improve the quality of life in neighborhoods around the country. Today, with continued emphasis on crime reduction and the added task of fighting the war on terrorism, Neighborhood Watch is more important than ever. Throughout the country citizens are being empowered and mobilized as they participate in proactive partnerships with their local law enforcement agencies.

How It Works

Traditionally, a Neighborhood Watch group is led by a community member who is actively involved and dedicated to the program. Often, these group leaders are selected because of their previous crime prevention experience and training or because of their interest in the program. Some Neighborhood Watch leaders are chosen because of their desire to reach out to and work with the community, while others were selected because of their communication skills or abilities to plan, organize and mobilize others.

Benefits

What are some of the benefits of starting a watch group?

• A more secure and better prepared hometown
• A more united community
• Improved communications with law enforcement
• Reduction in crime

5 Steps to Starting a Neighborhood Watch

1. Recruit and organize as many neighbors as possible
2. Contact the Van Buren County Sheriff's Office and schedule a meeting
3. Discuss community concerns and develop an action plan
4. Hold regular meetings and train
5. Implement a phone tree and take action steps.