Fight Back Against Crime In Your Community

National Night Out is an important event that allows for people in communities all across the United States and in many places around the world to make a statement about taking a stand against crime. So how can you participate? Getting in touch with your local police department or neighborhood watch group is a great way to find out about community events that might be going on in your area. These events might include festivals or parades, block parties or fairs, or community meetings that allow neighbors to become acquainted with others involved in crime prevention. Here are some useful tips on how you can get started.

• Form a small planning committee of neighbors to discuss needs, the level of interest, possible challenges, and the Watch concept.
• Contact the local police or sheriffs’ department, or local crime prevention organizations to discuss Neighborhood Watch and local crime problems. Invite a law enforcement officer to attend your meeting.
• Establish a regular means of communicating with Watch members such as a newsletter, telephone tree, an e-mail listserv, or an online message board.
• Prepare a neighborhood map showing names, addresses, and phone numbers of participating households and distribute to members.
• With guidance from a law enforcement agency, the Watch can train members in home security techniques, observation skills, and crime reporting.
• Remember that the Neighborhood Watch is not a team of vigilantes, and does not exist to take the law into their own hands. The purpose is to ask neighbors to be alert, observant, and caring – and to report suspicious activity or crimes immediately to the police.

Check out these links to some local crime prevention organizations or check with your local police department for more ways on how you can get involved. The National Crime Prevention Council also has a few publications for download on their site with more information on starting a Neighborhood Watch.