Neighborhood Watch - Pima County Sheriff's Department

Crime

Neighborhood Watch

Crime Prevention

Neighborhood Watch

Overview

Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the country, bringing citizens together with law enforcement to deter crime and make communities safer.

Sponsored by the National Sheriffs’ Association (NSA), Neighborhood Watch can trace its roots back to the days of colonial settlements, when night watchmen patrolled the streets. The modern version of Neighborhood Watch was developed in response to requests from sheriffs and police chiefs who were looking for a crime prevention program that would involve citizens and address an increasing number of burglaries.

Launched in 1972, Neighborhood Watch counts on citizens to organize themselves and work with law enforcement to keep a trained eye and ear on their communities, while demonstrating their presence at all times of day and night. (The program took off quickly: in just ten years, NSA data showed that 12 percent of the population was involved in a Neighborhood Watch.) Neighborhood Watch works because it reduces opportunities for crime to occur; it doesn’t rely on altering or changing the criminal’s behavior or motivation.

The Pima County Sheriff’s Department embraces the Neighborhood Watch program philosophies of keeping citizens involved in keeping their own communities safe by being active and aware. In 1984, the Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers spearheaded Pima County’s Neighborhood Watch efforts. Since then Neighborhood Watch programs can be found all over the county, from rural neighborhoods to new developments. If you are interested in finding out about what a Neighborhood Watch program can do for your neighborhood, contact the SAVs, who will be happy to assist in starting a localized program or provide support for an existing group. The Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers are available at (520) 351-4972.

Neighborhood Watch Busts Drug House

10 Steps to starting a Neighborhood Watch Program

STEP ONE:	Define your neighborhood geographically. Start small – approximately 30 to 35 homes – so you and your neighbors can get to know each other.
STEP TWO:	Talk to your neighbors. Do they know that a Neighborhood Watch program is for their protection and builds a bond in the neighborhood? What are their issues and concerns? What nights are they available for a meeting?
STEP THREE:	Call the Sheriff’s Auxiliary Volunteers’ Crime Prevention Unit, (520) 351-4972 and schedule a mutually agreeable date for the first meeting. Tell the Neighborhood Watch Director about any issue or concern that may be brought up at the meeting.
STEP FOUR:	Ask neighbors to serve as Block Leaders (approx. one neighbor per 7-15 homes).
STEP FIVE:	Start a committee with interested neighbors to plan the first meeting. Assign someone to: market/advertise the meeting, make/buy food, meeting logistics (name tags, copy of sign-in sheet, pens). Focus on the “3 F’s” which are Food, Fun and Free things. The Sheriff’s Department can help by providing some handouts and giveaway items.
STEP SIX:	Advertise the meeting to your neighbors! Invite ALL your neighbors (in your geographical area). Talk to everyone possible. Deliver flyers to each home.
STEP SEVEN:	Call to confirm with the Neighborhood Watch Director at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
STEP EIGHT:	Set up a welcome table before the meeting begins with the sign-in sheet, name tags, and any applicable material provided by the Pima County Sheriff’s Department.
STEP NINE:	Introduce the Neighborhood Watch representative that will speak on Neighborhood Watch. The presentation will last approximately 45 minutes followed by 10 minutes for questions. Thank everyone who attended and acknowledge those who helped, including any neighborhood businesses, or individuals that donated items. Invite neighbors to remain and get to know each other.
STEP TEN:	After the meeting, thank those who helped and solicit their help to work on the next one.