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What
is Neighborhood Watch? |
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Neighborhood Watch is one of the most
effective, and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce
fear. Neighborhood Watch fights the isolation that crime both
creates and feeds upon. It forges bonds among area residents,
helps reduce burglaries and robberies, and improves relations
between law enforcement and the communities they serve. |
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The ABC's
of Neighborhood Watch |
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- Any community resident can join: young and old,
single and married, renter and home owner. |
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- A few concerned residents, a community organization,
or a law enforcement agency can spearhead the effort to organize
a Watch. |
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- Members learn how to make their homes more secure,
watch out for each other and the neighborhood, and report activities
that raise their suspicions to law enforcement. |
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- You can form a Watch group around any geographical
unit: a block, apartment, park, business area, public housing
complex, office, marina, etc. |
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- Watch groups are not vigilantes. They are extra
eyes and ears for reporting crime and helping neighbors. Neighborhood
Watch helps build pride and serves as a springboard for efforts
that address community concerns such as recreation for youth,
child care, and affordable housing. |
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Getting Organized |
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If your group decides to form a Neighborhood
Watch, it should: |
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- Contact the Linn County Sheriff's Office Neighborhood
Watch coordinator at: 541-259-6126 or 541-258-6940. |
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- Select a Watch Coordinator and Block Captain
who are responsible for organizing meetings and relaying information
to members. |
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- Recruit members, keeping up-to-date on new residents
and making special efforts to involve the elderly, working parents,
and young people. |
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- Work with law enforcement to put up Neighborhood
Watch signs, usually after at least 50% of all households are
enrolled. |
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me back to the Specialty Teams and Units main page! |
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