Community Watch
A Community Watch is the "Eyes and Ears" of Law Enforcement
Community Watch is a Crime Prevention Program that enlists the active participation of citizens in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime and victimization in their communities. It involves:
- Citizens using common sense crime prevention practices to protect themselves and their property
- Neighbors getting together in programs of mutual assistance to prevent crime
- Citizens being trained to recognize and report suspicious activity in their neighborhood
A Community Watch is not:
- A vigilante group
- Citizens pursuing criminals or becoming physically involved in the criminal event
- Taking the law into your hands
Why Start a Community Watch?
Law enforcement officers cannot be everywhere, so citizen involvement is essential. You and your neighbors are the ones who really know what is going on in your community. By cooperating with each other and the police, you can help reduce crime in your community in the most effective way -- by preventing it.
Why Do Residents Mobilize?
- To get something done about an immediate problem
- To problem-solve on future goals
- To gather resources for community needs
- To improve the quality of life in their community
What Does a Community Watch Look Like?
Community Watch areas do not all look the same. Some Community Watches are defined geographically, while others may be defined on the basis of a common interest the members share. The basic structure of a Community Watch involves a Watch Captain, Block Captains, and members.
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