Tipton County Constable's Office

Neighborhood Watch Program

 

What Is Neighborhood Watch?

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A neighborhood watch program is a group of people living in the same area who want to make their neighborhood safer by working together and in conjunction with local law enforcement to reduce crime and improve their quality of life. Neighborhood watch groups have regular meetings to plan how they will accomplish their specific goals and leaders with assigned responsibilities. Neighborhood watch is homeland security at the most local level. It is an opportunity to volunteer and work towards increasing the safety and security of our homes and our homeland. Neighborhood watch empowers citizens and communities to become active in emergency preparedness, as well as the fight against crime and community disasters.

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A neighborhood watch group may be organized by an existing neighborhood association, but the key element is its relationship with local law enforcement.  Activities conducted by neighborhood watch groups across the country are as diverse and varied as their volunteers and the neighborhoods they represent. Some groups mobilize to patrol neighborhoods, other distribute crime prevention information, while business assessments or home security surveys are conducted by others. Where disorder problems are the primary focus of neighborhood watch members, volunteers mobilize and conduct neighborhood clean-ups, or work with faith-based organizations to assist with the homeless and mentally ill who wander the streets. As law enforcement officers learn the needs of their various neighborhood watch groups and the dynamics of their volunteers, they can tailor activities and responses to meet the ever-changing needs of their citizens.

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Who is Involved in Neighborhood Watch?

1. State and Local Law Enforcement - Local law enforcement agencies are charged to reach out to their communities to form local partnerships that will assist in the development of new Neighborhood Watch programs and enhance existing programs. By partnering together, crime can be prevented or reduced, and the overall quality of life can be improved. Law enforcement officers include sheriffs’ deputies, police officers, and any other sworn law enforcement.

2. Law Enforcement Liaison - A law enforcement liaison is the law enforcement officer or deputy specifically assigned the responsibility of establishing and supporting local Neighborhood Watch groups. The liaison will guide Neighborhood Watch leaders to make decisions that will be best for their group. The officer will train Neighborhood Watch leaders, block captains and members in areas ranging from setting goals to how to report suspicious activities. The liaison should also be involved in facilitating community-wide Neighborhood Watch activities. A good, working relationship with your community's law enforcement agency is key to an effective neighborhood watch!

3. Community Members - Neighborhood Watch members have several responsibilities. One of the most important things a member can do is to remain active. An active member will help create and maintain a level of excitement about the program. This will help recruit more members, which will lead to a higher level of crime prevention. It is the responsibility of members to stay informed about issues in their neighborhood and community. This information should be shared with others to keep members motivated and to prevent the group from becoming stagnant.

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Keep reading... Getting Started

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Would you like to start a neighborhood watch program on your street?  We will help you…

Please gather a list of at least 8 individuals in your neighborhood that would commit to working

towards your neighborhood watch and let’s schedule a meeting to help you get started. 

Register/Start a Neighborhood Watch