Neighborhood Watch Programs

Neighborhood Watch is defined as an organized effort by residents of a particular neighborhood to watch out for, and report to the police, suspicioussuspicious or criminal behavior for the purpose of deterring such activity in the future. Organized by community groups, local law enforcement, or individual citizens, volunteers typically attend Neighborhood Watch meetings to exchange telephone numbers, receive training in surveillance and reporting, and talk about crime problems in the area. Newsletters are often used to disseminate crime prevention tips and crime statistics, and signs are posted warning potential criminals that they are entering a Neighborhood Watch community. Over several decades, watch groups have proliferated in number and type, and have broadened their functions.

National surveys indicate that roughly four in ten U.S. citizens live in a community with a Neighborhood Watch program, and of these, approximately six in ten participate in the program. The National Crime Prevention Council calls Neighborhood Watch “the largest single organized crime prevention activity in the nation,” with more than 50 million adult participants. Watch programs are more likely to exist in white, middle-income neighborhoods, although considerable effort has been invested in starting such programs in other communities.

A wide range of activities and programs have been supported by Neighborhood Watch groups. The traditional focus has been on surveillance and reporting tactics, home security surveys (to identify security weaknesses), property marking (to identify stolen property), and other crime prevention measures. These behaviors are typically taught by a crime prevention officer. Over the years, watch groups have expanded their activities to include organized foot and motor patrols, public education about crime prevention, neighborhood cleanups, the formation of interagency partnerships, and the provision of social services.

Watch groups typically develop in response to local problems and are tailored to meet the needs of local groups. The watch concept has been applied beyond [Page 1085]the residential neighborhood and now includes apartment watch, business watch, cab watch, park watch, youth watch, and a variety of other programs. The problem requiring surveillance can range from residential burglary to drug dealing to children's safety when walking to and from school.