Citizens and law enforcement agencies focused on developing crime prevention programs to help reduce this growing trend. In 1972 The National Sheriff’s Association organized the National Neighborhood Watch Program. This pilot program was funded by the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration of the U.S. Department of Justice and was designed to enlist the participation of citizens with law enforcement to help reduce and prevent crime. Since then Neighborhood Watch has become one of the most effective means of fighting crime in our communities. This is because you and your neighbors are the ones who really know what is going on in your area, most likely to be the first to see a crime and call for help, and are in the best position to: (1) Report code violations, unsafe street conditions, etc. that degrade the quality of life in your area, (2) Take property owners to small claims court to abate nuisances, (3) Keep your block clean and free of graffiti, and (4) Provide a safe environment for your children.
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What Is Neighborhood Watch?
Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program that enlists the active participation of residents in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime, solve problems, and improve the quality of life in your area. In it you will get to know and work with your neighbors, and learn how to:
- Recognize and report crimes and suspicious activities
- Protect yourself, your family, and your property,
- Protect your neighbor’s family and property, and
- Identify crime and disorder problems in your area and work with SDPD personnel to solve them.
How to Start and Maintain a Neighborhood Watch Program
The following steps explain how to get a Neighborhood Watch program started and maintained in your area:
Talk to your neighbors. See if there’s interest in forming a Neighborhood Watch group in your area. If there is contact the SDPD for help.
Talk to the SDPD. Contact the SDPD area station in your neighborhood and ask to talk to the Community Relations Officer (CRO) or Police Service Officer (PSO) who is responsible for Neighborhood Watch. SDPD division addresses and phone numbers are listed under IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD on this website. The CRO or PSO will suggest how you should proceed and discuss the crime and disorder problems that you will have to deal with.
Talk to your neighbors again. Tell them about the benefits of a program and the problems to be addressed. Ask about convenient times and places for the first meeting. Be sure to mention that Neighborhood Watch does not require frequent meetings or personal risks, and that a CRO or PSO will be invited to the first meeting to answer questions.
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Planning the first meeting.
Select a date, time, and place for the first meeting. Invite the CRO or PSO. Meetings are usually held at a home, school, church, or community center. They can also be held at a SDPD area station or storefront office. Send out meeting announcements a few weeks ahead of the date. You can distribute fliers, make phone calls, or send emails. Send out reminders a few days before the meeting.
Prepare an agenda and sign-in sheet for the first meeting. Ask the CRO or PSO to talk about the crime and disorder problems in your area, how to get crime and crime prevention information. The meeting should last about one hour. Consider providing refreshments, e.g., cookies and coffee. The agenda should allow time for questions, answers, and other topics.
First meeting.
The first meeting is critical in forming of a group. All attendees should introduce themselves and sign a sheet with their names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses so they can be contacted about future meetings and activities. They should be assured that their personal information will not be given to anyone without their permission. The CRO or PSO will talk about the topics listed above and answer questions. Then the group should define the area to be covered and select a Block Captain or Co-Captains.
The area covered by a group in a neighborhood with single-family homes can range from several homes on one side of a street to several blocks with homes on both sides of the streets. The area can also include neighborhood parks, canyons, etc. The area covered in a neighborhood with apartment complexes can range from a single complex to several complexes.
The initial duties of the Block Captain or Co-Captains are listed below:
- Compile a membership list
- Develop an area map with home addresses
- Collect money for Neighborhood Watch signs, and post and maintain the signs
Neighborhood Watch signs and sign hardware approved by the SDPD can be obtained from CSI Signs at (858) 277-3858. They are located at 7450 Ronson Rd., San Diego 92111. However, Neighborhood Watch groups are free to buy signs from any company and do not need SDPD authorization to do so. The signs can be installed with permission on private property or utility poles, with perforated metal tape on City street light poles, or at least 7 feet above the grade level on City street signs. They cannot be installed on any traffic control sign or City tree. After installation the exposed bolt threads should be crimped to prevent theft of the sign.
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