Neighborhood Watch Part 2 National Crime Prevention Council 2007–2008.

Neighborhood Watch Neighborhood Watch Part 2Part 2

National Crime Prevention Council National Crime Prevention Council 2007–20082007–2008

National Crime Prevention Council National Crime Prevention Council 22

Goal of This PresentationGoal of This Presentation

To provide participants with strategies for To provide participants with strategies for strengthening their Neighborhood Watch strengthening their Neighborhood Watch

programs and explore ways that their programs programs and explore ways that their programs can be connected with homeland security and can be connected with homeland security and

emergency preparednessemergency preparedness


ObjectivesObjectives Learn how to maintain and strengthen a Learn how to maintain and strengthen a

Neighborhood WatchNeighborhood Watch

Learn how to expand the scope of Learn how to expand the scope of Neighborhood WatchNeighborhood Watch

Explore how Neighborhood Watch can be Explore how Neighborhood Watch can be linked to homeland security and emergency linked to homeland security and emergency preparedness preparedness


Neighborhood Watch WorksNeighborhood Watch Works

Birmingham, AL: Before Neighborhood Birmingham, AL: Before Neighborhood Watch, 13 out of 15 neighborhoods had Watch, 13 out of 15 neighborhoods had experienced increases in burglaries. After the experienced increases in burglaries. After the program was in place, 12 of the 15 had no program was in place, 12 of the 15 had no burglaries.burglaries.

Lakewood, CO: Burglaries dropped 77 percent Lakewood, CO: Burglaries dropped 77 percent after Neighborhood Watch was implemented. after Neighborhood Watch was implemented.


Neighborhood Watch Works Neighborhood Watch Works (continued)(continued)

■■ Cypress, CA: Neighborhood Watch cut Cypress, CA: Neighborhood Watch cut burglaries by 52 percent and thefts by 45 burglaries by 52 percent and thefts by 45 percent. The program saved police an percent. The program saved police an estimated $79,000.estimated $79,000.


Neighborhood Watch Neighborhood Watch BackgroundBackground

Neighborhood Watch is a community-Neighborhood Watch is a community-based program supported by the National based program supported by the National Sheriffs’ Association. Sheriffs’ Association.

Since its inception in 1972, thousands of Since its inception in 1972, thousands of communities have created Neighborhood communities have created Neighborhood Watch programs. Watch programs.

These programs have expanded and These programs have expanded and become major assets in solving become major assets in solving neighborhood problems.neighborhood problems.


Example of an Expanded Example of an Expanded Neighborhood Watch ProgramNeighborhood Watch Program

The Niagara Falls Block Club Council has The Niagara Falls Block Club Council has expanded the traditional Neighborhood Watch expanded the traditional Neighborhood Watch

activities to include increasing community activities to include increasing community awareness as well as engagement.awareness as well as engagement.

Home Block Club AssociationHome Block Club Association Roger Spurback, PresidentRoger Spurback, President2234 Forest Avenue2234 Forest AvenueNiagara Falls, NY 14301Niagara Falls, NY 14301716-285-5426716-285-5426rspurblockclub@[email protected]


Maintaining and Strengthening Maintaining and Strengthening Your Neighborhood Watch Your Neighborhood Watch

ProgramProgram


Seek Help From Seek Help From Other OrganizationsOther Organizations

Talk to other Neighborhood Watch groups in Talk to other Neighborhood Watch groups in the area. the area.

Talk with local PTAs, tenants’ groups, Talk with local PTAs, tenants’ groups, community service organizations, social clubs, community service organizations, social clubs, faith groups, public and mental health faith groups, public and mental health associations, taxpayers’ groups, and associations, taxpayers’ groups, and homeowners’ associations for help and ideas in homeowners’ associations for help and ideas in sustaining and preserving activities. sustaining and preserving activities.


Community AssessmentsCommunity Assessments Ask your local police department or sheriff’s Ask your local police department or sheriff’s

office for a map of your area. You can use this to office for a map of your area. You can use this to define the boundaries of your Neighborhood define the boundaries of your Neighborhood Watch program and to map crime. Watch program and to map crime.

Ask your local police department for statistics on Ask your local police department for statistics on crime in your community and whether it has done crime in your community and whether it has done any crime mapping or crime analysis of your any crime mapping or crime analysis of your neighborhoodneighborhood. . If so, ask to see the results.If so, ask to see the results.


Consider a Consider a Neighborhood AssessmentNeighborhood Assessment

A neighborhood assessment can A neighborhood assessment can provide a “road map” that can provide a “road map” that can be used to address problems and be used to address problems and community needs. community needs.

A neighborhood assessment can A neighborhood assessment can also highlight other also highlight other organizations—local organizations—local government, local civic groups, government, local civic groups, etc.—that might need to be etc.—that might need to be involved. involved.


Community AssessmentsCommunity Assessments

Collect crime data from police and residents. Collect crime data from police and residents. • What types of crimes have been reported? What types of crimes have been reported? • What details are available about these crimes?What details are available about these crimes?• Do patterns of crime show up?Do patterns of crime show up?• Are there specific “hot spots” where multiple Are there specific “hot spots” where multiple

incidents have occurred? incidents have occurred?


Community Assessments Community Assessments (continued)(continued)

What have residents noticed in general about What have residents noticed in general about the community? the community?

What types of activities have residents What types of activities have residents noticed? Which activities are positive, which noticed? Which activities are positive, which are negative? are negative?

What can be said about activities of concern? What can be said about activities of concern? Where, when (what time of day or week)? Where, when (what time of day or week)?


Community Assessments Community Assessments (continued)(continued)

Conduct a survey of residents. Conduct a survey of residents. • Ask about their observations of the neighborhood.Ask about their observations of the neighborhood.• Ask about their concerns and things they want to see Ask about their concerns and things they want to see

happen.happen. Have responses sent anonymously to one person who Have responses sent anonymously to one person who

will compile the responses. will compile the responses. Report on the responses at the next meeting. Identify Report on the responses at the next meeting. Identify

those actions for which solutions are apparent and those those actions for which solutions are apparent and those that need investigating. Be sure someone takes notes. that need investigating. Be sure someone takes notes.


Crime Prevention Through Crime Prevention Through Environmental DesignEnvironmental Design

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a way of looking at Design (CPTED) is a way of looking at changing the environment to increase changing the environment to increase prevention factors and decrease crime prevention factors and decrease crime problems. problems.


CPTED PrinciplesCPTED Principles

CPTED seeks to strengthenCPTED seeks to strengthen• Natural surveillanceNatural surveillance

• Access managementAccess management

• TerritorialityTerritoriality

• Physical maintenancePhysical maintenance

• Order maintenanceOrder maintenance

• Activity supportActivity support


Crime Prevention Through Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Environmental Design (continued)(continued)

Local law enforcement agencies frequently have Local law enforcement agencies frequently have officers on staff who have been trained in officers on staff who have been trained in CPTED principles. Seek the help of such an CPTED principles. Seek the help of such an officer to coordinate a neighborhood review. officer to coordinate a neighborhood review.

CPTED seeks to identify problems and strengths CPTED seeks to identify problems and strengths by asking questions such as by asking questions such as • Does this make me feel safe/unsafe? Does it look like someone Does this make me feel safe/unsafe? Does it look like someone

cares about this space?cares about this space?

• What make me feel safer in this space? What would tell me that What make me feel safer in this space? What would tell me that someone is taking care of it? someone is taking care of it?


Safe or Unsafe: Safe or Unsafe: Residential StreetResidential Street


Safe or Unsafe: Safe or Unsafe: Open SpaceOpen Space


Strategies To Keep YourStrategies To Keep YourNeighborhood WatchNeighborhood Watch

StrongStrong


A Lasting Neighborhood WatchA Lasting Neighborhood Watch Often communities start Neighborhood Watches Often communities start Neighborhood Watches

because of a dramatic crime or increase in crime. because of a dramatic crime or increase in crime. When the problem subsides or is forgotten, the When the problem subsides or is forgotten, the program loses momentum. program loses momentum.

Adopt a long-term attitude from the start—your Adopt a long-term attitude from the start—your aims are to empower people to prevent crime, to aims are to empower people to prevent crime, to forge bonds among residents and law forge bonds among residents and law enforcement, and to build a base for broader enforcement, and to build a base for broader community improvement. community improvement.


Example of Neighborhood Watch That Works Closely

With the Sheriff’s Department

Hinds County, MS, has 240 Neighborhood Watches in six towns within its 875 square miles and each must meet specific requirements set forth by the Sheriff’s Department.


A Lasting Neighborhood Watch A Lasting Neighborhood Watch (continued)(continued)

Spell out the roles of the group. Consider Spell out the roles of the group. Consider forming a formal association with bylaws forming a formal association with bylaws and officers. and officers.

Decentralize planning and work. Establish Decentralize planning and work. Establish committees and delegate tasks. committees and delegate tasks.

Keep all members informed via a mix of Keep all members informed via a mix of personal contact and newsletters. personal contact and newsletters.

Plan for and train new leaders.Plan for and train new leaders.



Strike a balance between work and fun. Strike a balance between work and fun. Address problems but also have fun as Address problems but also have fun as neighbors.neighbors.

Involve the entire community.Involve the entire community. Organize meetings that focus on current Organize meetings that focus on current

issues pertaining to children, youth, issues pertaining to children, youth, adults, seniors, and public and private adults, seniors, and public and private property. property.



Consider organizing citizen patrols to walk or Consider organizing citizen patrols to walk or drive around and alert police to crime and drive around and alert police to crime and suspicious activity. Talk to local law suspicious activity. Talk to local law enforcement about how patrols could work in enforcement about how patrols could work in your area.your area.

If you do implement patrols, share patrol If you do implement patrols, share patrol duties and consult regularly with law duties and consult regularly with law enforcement, who should help train patrols. enforcement, who should help train patrols.


Examples of Citizen Patrol Groups

The San Antonio, TX, Cellular on Patrol Program engages more than 600 trained volunteers who report possible crimes to police.

Baltimore County, MD, has more than 115 Baltimore County, MD, has more than 115 Citizens on Patrol groups—trained individuals Citizens on Patrol groups—trained individuals who patrol by car in their neighborhoods and who patrol by car in their neighborhoods and report concerns or crimes to the police. report concerns or crimes to the police.


Examples of Citizen Patrol Groups(continued)

The McGruff® Truck Program, in which drivers call for help on behalf of children in distress, is another adaptation of mobilizing the “watch out for each other” concept. Lost children have been returned to their parents; others have been saved from closed and overheated cars or even rescued from abusive situations, thanks to these trained and vetted drivers of more than 16,000 corporate and municipal trucks in 24 states.



Don’t forget to hold social events that give Don’t forget to hold social events that give neighbors a chance to know each other—a neighbors a chance to know each other—a block party, potluck dinner, volleyball or block party, potluck dinner, volleyball or softball game, or a picnic. softball game, or a picnic.

Thank people publicly for their hard work. Thank people publicly for their hard work. Share data (formal or informal) that show Share data (formal or informal) that show

Neighborhood Watch has helped reduce crime Neighborhood Watch has helped reduce crime and improve safety. and improve safety.


What Else Can What Else Can Neighborhood Watch Do?Neighborhood Watch Do?

Adopt a neighborhood park or playground and Adopt a neighborhood park or playground and hold a cleanup. Paint over graffiti in the hold a cleanup. Paint over graffiti in the neighborhood. neighborhood.

Work with local building code officials to Work with local building code officials to bring subpar buildings up to code.bring subpar buildings up to code.

Help neighbors install deadbolt locks, window Help neighbors install deadbolt locks, window locks, smoke alarms, and other safety devices locks, smoke alarms, and other safety devices in new and existing homes and in commercial in new and existing homes and in commercial buildings. buildings.


What Else Can Neighborhood What Else Can Neighborhood Watch Do? Watch Do? (continued)(continued)

Work with parents’ groups to start a McGruff® Work with parents’ groups to start a McGruff® House or similar block parent program to House or similar block parent program to provide safe places for children to go during provide safe places for children to go during emergencies.emergencies.

Publish a newsletter with prevention tips, local Publish a newsletter with prevention tips, local crime news, recognition of residents’ crime news, recognition of residents’ achievements, and news of neighborhood and achievements, and news of neighborhood and community events.community events.


Expanding the ScopeExpanding the Scope

Neighborhood Watch can serve communities in Neighborhood Watch can serve communities in many ways beyond preventing crime. many ways beyond preventing crime.

It can provide focus for community It can provide focus for community preparedness, including Community preparedness, including Community Emergency Response Team training.Emergency Response Team training.

Strong, organized, cohesive neighborhoods are Strong, organized, cohesive neighborhoods are better equipped to recognize terrorism and better equipped to recognize terrorism and handle all sorts of emergency situations. handle all sorts of emergency situations.


Homeland SecurityHomeland Security

IsIs

Crime PreventionCrime Prevention


Overview of Homeland Overview of Homeland SecuritySecurity

Prevent terrorist attacks within the United Prevent terrorist attacks within the United StatesStates

Reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism Reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism Minimize the damage and recover from Minimize the damage and recover from

attacks that do occurattacks that do occur


Homeland Security and Homeland Security and Neighborhood WatchNeighborhood Watch

Crime prevention is terrorism prevention.Crime prevention is terrorism prevention. Both help to achieve safety and security. Both help to achieve safety and security. Both require action by individuals and Both require action by individuals and

neighborhoods.neighborhoods. Both help us cope with fear. Both help us cope with fear. Both need planning and organization to be Both need planning and organization to be

effective. effective.


Homeland Security and Homeland Security and Neighborhood Watch Neighborhood Watch (continued)(continued)

Neighborhood Watch groups are excellentNeighborhood Watch groups are excellentplatforms for community preparedness. platforms for community preparedness. They are already experienced in teaching They are already experienced in teaching

residents about prevention.residents about prevention. They often offer networks of neighborhoods. They often offer networks of neighborhoods. They are accustomed to training residents in They are accustomed to training residents in

various skills. various skills. They are accustomed to communicating They are accustomed to communicating

regularly among themselves and with others. regularly among themselves and with others.


Homeland Security and Homeland Security and Neighborhood Watch Neighborhood Watch (continued)(continued)

Neighborhood Watches can develop Neighborhood Watches can develop neighborhood-level plans for residents to help neighborhood-level plans for residents to help each other in emergencies; they can keep each other in emergencies; they can keep plans current. plans current.

The groups provide excellent focal points for The groups provide excellent focal points for developing inventories of neighborhood skills developing inventories of neighborhood skills and equipment that might be needed in and equipment that might be needed in emergencies.emergencies.

They can tap training for security needs.They can tap training for security needs.


An ExampleAn Example

The Pasadena, CA, Police Department matched The Pasadena, CA, Police Department matched the old concept of Neighborhood Watch with the old concept of Neighborhood Watch with the new idea of security for the recreational the new idea of security for the recreational vehicles (RVs) at the Tournament of Roses vehicles (RVs) at the Tournament of Roses

parade. Parade Watch, as it came to be known, parade. Parade Watch, as it came to be known, provided experienced neighbors to monitor provided experienced neighbors to monitor

RVs along the parade route and notify police RVs along the parade route and notify police of any suspicious vehicles. of any suspicious vehicles.


An ExampleAn Example

In Stafford County, VA, the sheriff’s office In Stafford County, VA, the sheriff’s office identified sites that might be attractive to identified sites that might be attractive to

terrorists, such as reservoirs, train tracks, and terrorists, such as reservoirs, train tracks, and bridges. Neighborhood Watches near the sites bridges. Neighborhood Watches near the sites were invited to get special training in what to were invited to get special training in what to

report and how to report it with respect to report and how to report it with respect to possible threats to these targets. All residents possible threats to these targets. All residents were offered education on preparedness and were offered education on preparedness and

mitigation strategies. mitigation strategies.


The Crime Prevention The Crime Prevention FrameworkFramework

Crime prevention plays a strategic role in Crime prevention plays a strategic role in community preparedness. community preparedness.

Practitioners can help communities apply Practitioners can help communities apply crime prevention skills to the work of crime prevention skills to the work of community preparedness.community preparedness.

A safe nation begins with safe, engaged A safe nation begins with safe, engaged communities.communities.


Community PreparednessCommunity Preparedness

Much like crime prevention, everyone can have aMuch like crime prevention, everyone can have a

role in preparing for the unexpected emergency.role in preparing for the unexpected emergency.

Individuals or families can prepare by Individuals or families can prepare by Identifying meeting locations in case of an Identifying meeting locations in case of an

emergencyemergency Developing a family emergency contact listDeveloping a family emergency contact list Assembling a disaster supplies kitAssembling a disaster supplies kit Taking a course in first aid or CPRTaking a course in first aid or CPR


Disaster/Emergency Disaster/Emergency PreparednessPreparedness

A Community Emergency A Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) is a Response Team (CERT) is a neighborhood team (trained neighborhood team (trained by emergency service by emergency service professionals) who respond professionals) who respond to a major disaster when to a major disaster when professionals are professionals are overwhelmed or delayed and overwhelmed or delayed and can’t meet immediate needs. can’t meet immediate needs.


Disaster/Emergency Disaster/Emergency Preparedness Preparedness (continued)(continued)

CERT offers 20 hours of instruction and CERT offers 20 hours of instruction and hands-on training in disaster preparedness, hands-on training in disaster preparedness, first aid, fire suppression, light search and first aid, fire suppression, light search and rescue, disaster psychology, team rescue, disaster psychology, team organization, and terrorism awareness.organization, and terrorism awareness.

For more information, visit For more information, visit http://training.fema.gov/EMIWEB/CERT.http://training.fema.gov/EMIWEB/CERT.


Everyone Can Play a RoleEveryone Can Play a Role

Here are some things participants can do. Here are some things participants can do. • Be proactive.Be proactive.• Get involved.Get involved.• Motivate others to get involved.Motivate others to get involved.• Involve all members of the community.Involve all members of the community.• Translate national needs into community concerns.Translate national needs into community concerns.• Train and practice.Train and practice.• Accept the challenge.Accept the challenge.• Begin today.Begin today.


Questions and AnswersQuestions and Answers


ResourcesResources

www.ncpc.orgwww.ncpc.organdandwww.mcgruffstore.orgwww.mcgruffstore.org


Resources From NCPCResources From NCPC

United for a Stronger America: United for a Stronger America: Citizens’ Preparedness GuideCitizens’ Preparedness Guide, , National Crime Prevention National Crime Prevention Council, 2002Council, 2002

Crime Prevention Can Spur and Crime Prevention Can Spur and Support Homeland Security in Support Homeland Security in Neighborhoods and Neighborhoods and CommunitiesCommunities, National Crime , National Crime Prevention Council, 2003Prevention Council, 2003


Resources From NCPCResources From NCPC

Citizens’ Involvement in Homeland Citizens’ Involvement in Homeland SecuritySecurity, National Crime Prevention , National Crime Prevention Council, 2003Council, 2003

Checklists, emergency family Checklists, emergency family planning guides, and information on planning guides, and information on how to recognize terrorists’ how to recognize terrorists’ activities can be downloaded from activities can be downloaded from www.ncpc.org.www.ncpc.org.


ResourcesResources

National Sheriffs’ AssociationNational Sheriffs’ Association

1450 Duke Street1450 Duke Street

Alexandria, VA 22314Alexandria, VA 22314

703-836-7827 703-836-7827

www.sheriffs.orgwww.sheriffs.org

www.USAonwatch.orgwww.USAonwatch.org


Resources Resources (continued)(continued)

National Association of Town WatchNational Association of Town WatchP.O. Box 303P.O. Box 303

1 Wynnewood Road1 Wynnewood RoadWynnewood, PA 19096Wynnewood, PA 19096

610-649-7055610-649-7055www.nationaltownwatch.orgwww.nationaltownwatch.org

National Night Out—first Tuesday in AugustNational Night Out—first Tuesday in August



Neighborhood Watch Program by Neighborhood Watch Program by the National Sheriff’s Associationthe National Sheriff’s Association

www.usaonwatch.orgwww.usaonwatch.org

Citizens Corps Citizens Corps www.citizenscorps.govwww.citizenscorps.gov



National Criminal Justice Reference National Criminal Justice Reference ServiceService

www.ncjrs.govwww.ncjrs.gov

Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS)Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS)

www.policevolunteers.orgwww.policevolunteers.org


The National Crime Prevention CouncilThe National Crime Prevention Council

2345 Crystal Drive2345 Crystal Drive

Suite 500Suite 500

Arlington, VA 22202Arlington, VA 22202

202-466-6272202-466-6272

FAX 202-296-1356FAX 202-296-1356

www.ncpc.orgwww.ncpc.org


Presenter Contact InformationPresenter Contact Information

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Neighborhood Watch Part 2 National Crime Prevention Council 2007–2008.

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