Here are some program details that make any Neighborhood Watch program successful.

Please read its entirety and if you have any questions regarding the program, please email the Crime Watch Coordinator at lecwc@tampabay.rr.com

An implementation manual for
citizens and law enforcement

Provided by:
National Sheriffs' Association
1450 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

Foreword

Across the nation crime is of concern to citizens in cities, suburbs, towns, and rural areas. Increasingly, citizens and law enforcement professionals realize that neither one can eradicate crime working separately. Neighbors and other concerned citizens, working cooperatively with law enforcement, can have a positive effect.

Home burglaries, in particular, can be minimized when community residents take steps to make their homes less attractive and vulnerable to burglars.

Burglary, the unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft, is generally considered a crime against property. It has, however, a high potential for death or injury to the victim who comes into surprise contact with the intruder. Through the well recognized concept of NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH, a community-based program supported by the National Sheriffs’ Association since 1972, residents of thousands of communities across the nation have discovered that they can make a difference in preventing crime.

The Role of the Community in Neighborhood Watch

Ask anyone whose home has been burglarized… the shock and helpless anger accompanying the discovery that an intruder has entered one’s home will not easily be forgotten. The damage may be minimal or major, the losses slight or catastrophic. The incident may or may not have involved injury to a family member – yet one hard fact remains: another statistic has been added to the ever-growing list of burglarized homes. The burglar won again – and has no doubt vanished, leaving no real clue to lead to his arrest.

Is Your Neighborhood Ready to Resist Crime? Or Is It a Target for Burglars? It’s Up to You!!

Chances are good that a home burglarized today is located in a neighborhood where one vital prevention tool is missing: an active NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH group. This community-based organization of citizens working together with law enforcement has become the key to preventing burglary and crime nationwide.

The National Sheriffs’ Association created the National NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH Program in 1972, with financial assistance from the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, to unite law enforcement agencies, private organizations, and individual citizens in a massive effort to reduce residential crime. A work plan emerged for use by sheriffs, police, and citizens for putting together local neighborhood-based programs. Since its establishment, NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH has developed thousands of such local residential crime prevention programs in which individual citizens work to 1)make their own homes and families less inviting targets for crime, and 2) cooperative with law enforcement through block and neighborhood groups to control crime through-out the community.

Neighborhood Crime Prevention: A Joint Responsibility

The prevention of crime – particularly crime involving residential neighborhoods – is a responsibility that must be shared equally by law enforcement and private citizens. The fact is, the impact on crime prevention by law enforcement alone is minimal when compared with the power of private citizens working with law enforcement and with each other. NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH is based on this concept of cooperation, and nationwide statistics prove that it works. When citizens take positive stops to secure their own property and neighbors learn how to report suspicious activity around their homes, burglary and related offenses decrease dramatically.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH Areas Show Crime Drop

Throughout the United States, dramatic decreases in burglary and related offenses are reported by law enforcement professionals in communities with active NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH programs.

Statistics show that when a concerned citizenry does its part, the possibilities are endless…and the results positive. NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH is now the most successful anticrime initiative in the country and the most effective and least expensive tool for restoring the safe, pleasant environment we all want for our families! This is homeowners’ insurance that works!

Taking Positive Steps

Victim responses to a home burglary generally follow a similar pattern: Initial fear and anger give way to an obsession with seeing the intruder caught and making sure the home is never targeted by criminals again. In the past, many frightened victims sat back and simply hoped their homes would be spared a repeat performance. They, as well as their neighbors, worried and wondered about what they could do to protect their property

Since the establishment of NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH, however, thousands of homeowners who want to take intelligently planned action to decrease crime statistics in their areas have discovered that they have a ready, willing and highly qualified partner in their local law enforcement agency. These homeowners now know that their agency would rather work with citizens to prevent crime than spend time with manpower investigating it after it occurs.

The Growing Need for NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

It is a fact of life that relationships in many of today’s communities have become less personal than they were years ago. Families are more transient, children have more activities that take them and their parents away from home, and there are more families with both parents working. The once-familiar sight of families visiting with each other on front porches while keeping a watchful eye on children and activities in the neighborhood is a rarity in most communities today. This trend away from personal contact in the neighborhood and the decrease in time families spend at home are two of the essential ingredients that make communities ripe for crimes of opportunity, such as burglary.

Burglary – A Target for NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH

Burglary, the unlawful entry of a structure to commit a felony or theft, is the crime that is targeted particularly by the National NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH Program. While it is one of the most prevalent and difficult crimes facing law enforcement today, it is, at the same time, the one major crime that CAN be effectively resisted by each citizen taking POSITIVE ACTION at home.

Burglary accounts for nearly one-third of the index crimes in the United States. Although it is generally considered a crime against property, it has a high potential for death or injury to the victim who comes into surprise contact with the burglar.

Contrary to popular opinion, burglary is not a crime restricted to urban areas; it also occurs in suburban and rural areas at an alarming rate. There are exceptions to the rising tide of crime, however, and studies reveal that these are often thriving NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH communities, where dedicated, enthusiastic residents have been trained to notice suspicious activities and report them, not only to law enforcement officials, but also to each other. NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH is, after all, hardly a new idea; in fact, it is based on one of the oldest and simplest concepts known to man – neighbor helping neighbor. And when neighbors get together and cooperate with law enforcement, crime CAN be reduced. Numerous convicted burglars have admitted that they are simply not prepared to take the added risk of working in NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH- protected communities.

Making it Tough for the Burglar

Through NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH Programs, determined citizens are decreasing their chances of becoming victims. Alert program participants in communities across the country are making things hard for potential criminals by:

§ Arranging for home security inspections by crime prevention officers to identify security vulnerabilities;

§ Upgrading locks, security hardware, and lighting; and installing alarms when security inspections show particular hazard;

§ Training family members to keep valuables secure and to lock doors and windows when leaving home; it is a good practice to keep doors lock when anyone is at home or not;

§ Asking neighbors to watch for suspicious activity when the house is vacant;

§ Marking valuable property with an identifying number (Operation I.D.) to discourage theft and help law enforcement agencies identify and return lost or stolen property;

§ Encouraging home builders to use effective door and window locks and to provide outside lighting for all new home and apartment construction;

§ Organizing block parent and block WATCH groups to assist children, the elderly, and other especially vulnerable persons if they appear to be distressed, in danger, or lost;

§ Meeting in neighborhood groups with trained crime prevention officers to discuss needs and crime prevention strategies;

§ Developing neighborhood “fan” or telephone tree systems for quickly alerting each other about criminal activity in the area;

§ Encouraging the development of signals for use in adjacent residences when someone needs help;

§ Arranging for ongoing programs where crime prevention experts can present home and neighborhood security tips at regularly scheduled meetings.

§ Obtaining and studying informative materials from the National Sheriffs’ Association, the National Crime Prevention Council and local agencies;

§ Identifying the area’s participation with decals and metal road signs warning, “NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH – our neighbors are watching to report suspicious activity to our law enforcement agency.”

Program Coordination

The Neighborhood Watch Coordinator

The Coordinator's job is crucial to the success of your program. This may be just the right job for a retiree or other individual who has extra time at home. This person's responsibilities may include:

Expanding the program and maintaining a current list of participants and neighborhood residents, including names, addresses, home and work telephone numbers, and vehicle descriptions;

Acting as liaison between WATCH members, law enforcement officers, civic groups, and block captains;

Arranging neighborhood crime prevention training programs;

Obtaining and distributing crime prevention materials, such as stickers and signs;

Involving others to develop specific crime prevention projects;

Encouraging participation in "Operation Identification," a nationwide program in which personal property is marked legibly with a unique identifying number to permit positive identification if valuables are lost or stolen.

The Block Captain

Block captains should be designated for every 10-15 houses, and they should be directly involved with their immediate neighbors. The block captain's responsibilities may include:

Acting as liaison between block residents and the Coordinator;

Establishing a "telephone chain" by compiling and distributing a current list of names, addresses and telephone numbers of block participants;

Visiting and inviting new residents to join NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH; notifying them of meetings and training sessions.

Establishing the "Operation Identification" program

Contacting each neighbor as often as possible to discuss possible crime problems, needs for assistance, and suggestions for program improvement.

Developing Citizen Awareness Through Crime Prevention Programs

Regular meetings of your NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH group should be utilized for programs to develop citizen awareness and proper response to suspected or actual criminal activity. Speakers from law enforcement as well as from a wide range of community organizations are valuable resources for this training:

Recognizing suspicious activity;

Describing and reporting events, vehicles and persons;

Home security inspections;

Home security measures;

Telephone security;

Confrontations with intruders.

Recognizing Suspicious Activity

BE ALERT. Anything that seems slightly "out of place" or is occurring at an unusual time of day could be criminal activity. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO APPREHEND A PERSON COMMITTING A CRIME OR INVESTIGATE A SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY. Call the police or sheriff's department immediately, and do not worry about being embarrassed if your suspicions prove to be unfounded. Law enforcement officers would rather investigate than be called when it is too late.

The following incidents MAY indicate possible criminal activity and should be reported:

Continuous repair operations at a non business location (stolen property being altered);

Open or broken doors and windows at a closed business or unoccupied residence (burglary or vandalism);

Unusual noises, such as gunshots, screaming, or dogs barking continuously (burglary, assault, or rape);

Sound of breaking glass (burglary or vandalism);

A person exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms (person may be injured, under the influence of drugs, or otherwise needing medical attention).

Time and accuracy are critical in reporting crime or suspicious events. Use your law enforcement agency's emergency number to report life-threatening incidents or a crime in progress, and use the non-emergency number for crimes that have already occurred. Your call could save a life, prevent an injury, or stop a crime. The information you provide will be kept confidential. You do not need to give your name, although this is often helpful.

Suspicious Persons

Obviously, not every stranger who comes into a neighborhood is a criminal. Legitimate door-to-door sales and repair people appear in residential areas frequently. Occasionally, however, criminals disguise themselves as these workers; therefore, it is important to be alert to the activities of all nonresidents. Law enforcement officials should be called to investigate persons in the following circumstances, who may be suspects in the crimes indicated:

· Going door to door in a residential area, especially if one or more goes to rear of residence or loiters in front of an unoccupied house or closed business (burglary);

· Forcing entrance or entering an unoccupied house (burglary, theft, or trespassing);

· Running, especially if carrying something of value or carrying unwrapped property at an unusual hour (fleeing the scene of a crime);

· Heavy traffic to and from a residence, particularly if it occurs on a daily basis (drug dealing, vice or fence operation);

· Screaming (rape or assault):

· Loitering around or peering into cars, especially in parking lots or on streets (car theft);

· Loitering around schools, parks or secluded areas (sex offender);

· Offering items for sale at a very low price (trying to sell stolen property);

· Loitering or driving through a neighborhood several times or appearing as delivery person with a wrong address (burglary).

Suspicious Vehicles

Vehicles in the following situations MAY be involved in crimes and should be reported to authorities:

Slow moving, without lights, following aimless course in any location, including residential streets, schools, and playgrounds (burglar, drug pusher, or sex offender);

Parked or occupied, containing one or more persons, especially at an unusual hour (lookouts for a burglary or robbery);

Parked by a business or unoccupied residence, being loaded with valuables (burglary or theft);

Abandoned in your neighborhood (stolen car);

Containing weapons (criminal activity);

Someone, especially a female or juvenile, being forced into a vehicle (kidnapping, assault, or attempted rape);

Business transactions taking place in it, especially around schools or parks (sale of stolen items or drugs);

Persons detaching mechanical parts or accessories from it (theft or vandalism);

Objects being thrown from it (disposing of contraband).

Describing and Reporting of Events, Vehicles and Persons

Practicing to develop skill in providing quick, accurate descriptions is an excellent NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH meeting activity. In attempting to describe events, vehicles, or persons, write down the details of what you have observed while they are still fresh in your mind, so your descriptions to law enforcement officials will be a accurate as possible.

Describing Events

When describing events, write down:

· What happened;

· When it happened;

· Where it occurred (note the nearest cross street, home address, or landmark in relationship to the event);

· Whether injuries are involved (Be prepared to report visible or suspected personal injury. Be as specific as possible - this could save a life!);

· Whether weapons are involved (this information, whether observed or suspected, is vital to responding officers)

Describing Vehicles

When describing vehicles, write down:

· Vehicle license number and state, make and type of vehicle, color, and approximate age;

· Special designs or unusual features, such as vinyl top, mag wheels, body damage, pinstripes, etc.;

· Direction of travel.

Describing Persons

In preparing descriptions of persons, it is important to write down the following:

· Sex

· Race

· Age

· Height (estimated from eye contact level measured against your height)

· Weight

· Hair (color and length)

· Hat

· Facial Hair (beard/mustache)

· Shirt/tie

· Coat/jacket

· Trousers

· Shoes

· Any peculiar or distinguishable mannerisms, physical disabilities, disfigurations, scars or tattoos

· Voice characteristics

· Direction of movement

Home Security Inspections

One of the most effective ways to educate NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH participants to protect their property is to arrange for detailed security inspections of their homes. Your crime prevention officer can assist you in the effort and can provide WATCH members with home security inspection checklists so that preliminary surveys can be conducted by homeowners or block captain.

Volunteer inspectors should be carefully screened before being admitted to the program; they should receive intensive training and be required to make a detailed report on each inspection. It might be wise to have homeowners sign a disclaimer relative to these inspections.

Home Security Measures

You must be aware of the potential risk of crime in you home in order to prevent it. First…Remember that the key factor in most crimes is OPPORTUNITY. IF THEY CAN'T GET AT IT, THEY CAN'T TAKE IT! Then…follow a regular plan of home security to deter the potential burglar or other intruder.

· Use a timer or photo electric cell that automatically turns a living room light on at dusk, particularly if you are going to be away at that time;

· Leave a radio on with the volume turned low when leaving home, even for short periods;

· Always close and lock garage doors;

· Secure automatic garage door transmitter in glove compartment of your car;

· Secure all obvious (and not so obvious) points of entry to your home. Pretend you are the burglar…stand outside your home and plan how you would get in; then install secure locks on all doors and windows;

· Lock up all ladders, ropes, or tools that could help a burglar gain entry;

· Keep all shrubbery trimmed near your doors and windows-don't provide concealment or climbing platforms for the burglar;

· Brightly illuminate all entrances, preferably with vandal-proof fixtures;

· Keep your grass cut, your leaves raked, etc., to indicate a well cared for and occupied home;

· Empty your mailbox or arrange to have it emptied as soon as mail is delivered;

· Install new locks when moving into an apartment or previously owned home;

· Keep extra keys out of sight and in a safe place; never hide a key outside--most hiding places are obvious to burglars;

· Avoid displaying valuable items near windows with open drapes or shades;

· Never leave a note on the door explaining why you are not at home;

· Never leave doors or windows unlocked when leaving home;

· Display only your last name on your nameplate or mailbox;

· Start a "buddy system" with you neighbors in order to watch each other's homes; watch for "movers" or "repair people" at a house where no one is home.

When Leaving Home for Several Days

· Don't cancel your paper or mail deliveries; ask that your neighbor pick them up every day;

· Leave a key with a friend or neighbor; ask that the house be checked periodically;

· Have the drapes periodically opened and closed; and have different lights turned on and off so the house appears occupied;

· Store all your valuables;

· Tell police when you are leaving and when you plan to return; they will check on your house periodically;

· Consider asking friends or relatives to live in your home while you are away;

· Leave a car in the driveway, or ask neighbors to park in it;

· Ask your neighbor to put some trash in your trash cans.

Despite precautions, if intruders are determined to enter and burglarize your home, they can probably do so. However, burglars usually seek the easiest target-and you can take steps to make your house less vulnerable.

Daily Telephone Security

· Never give personal information (name, age, address, etc.) to a stranger on the telephone;

· Never let a stranger on the telephone know when you will or will not be home;

· Never let a stranger on the telephone know you are home alone; instruct babysitters never to tell anyone who calls that they are home alone with children;

· Teach children old enough to be left alone never to tell a stranger who telephones that parents are gone. Teach them to say, "My mom can't come to the phone now. May I take a message?"

· Credit card/Social Security #, etc. Do not give out a credit card or social security number to someone who you do not know or whom you did not call.

When Planning a Trip

· Consider having your telephone "put on vacation." (Notify the telephone company approximately two weeks before your trip, and arrangements will be made for an operator or a recording to state that your telephone is temporarily out of order each time it rings);

· Use "call forwarding" if available in your area. (Call forwarding can give callers the impression that residents are home when they are actually away, by transferring your incoming calls to another telephone number. Your local phone company can provide you with further information).

Confrontations with Intruders

Develop the habit of surveying your home as you approach it. If you note evidence that someone has broken in, DO NOT ENTER. Go to the nearest telephone and call the police or sheriff's department. Should you confront a burglar, the very first rule is: GET OUT OF HIS WAY!! Never get between a burglar and the exit, and never try to stop him. It may cost you your life!

If you are in your home and someone is prowling outside, make it appear that several people are at home. For example, call to someone, "Dan, there's something outside." Call the police, and if it is dark, turn on the lights. If an intruder has already broken in, retreat and put other doors between the two of you. It is a good idea to have a deadbolt on an interior door. If you cannot get out, try to signal a neighbor by throwing something through a window; just the noise may frighten a burglar away.

If someone should enter your bedroom while you are in bed, pretend that you are asleep as long as he does not come near you.

If the intruder is armed, do what he says, and see that children do so as well. Remain calm-intruders generally want your property rather than your life.

Memorize a description of the intruder and write it down immediately after he has left; then call the police or your sheriff's department. Don't depend on memory.