Keeping your Neighborhood Watch Group Active
It’s an unfortunate fact that when a neighborhood crime crisis goes away, so does enthusiasm for Neighborhood Watch. Work to keep your Watch group a vital force for community well being and to prevent crime from entering your neighborhood.
Organize regular meetings
that focus on current issues such as drug abuse, “hate” or
bias-motivated violence, crime in schools, child care before and after
school, recreational activities for young people, and victims services.
The CPA WNY, Inc. offers a wide variety of professionals who can speak
on these topics.
Organize community patrols
to walk around streets or apartment complexes and alert police to crime
and suspicious activities and identify problems needing attention.
People with cellular phones or CB radios can patrol.
Adopt a park or school
playground. Pick up litter, repair broken equipment, paint over
graffiti.
Work with local building
code officials to require dead bolt locks, smoke alarms, and other
safety devices in new and existing homes and commercial
buildings.
Work with parent groups and
schools to start a McGruff House or other block parent program
(to help children in emergency situations). A McGruff House is a
reliable source of help for children in emergency or frightening
situations. For more information on McGruff House, call
801-486-8691.
Publish a newsletter that
gives prevention tips and local crime news, recognizes residents of all
ages who have “made a difference,” and highlights
community events.
Don’t forget social
events that give neighbors a chance to know each other - a block party, potluck
dinner, volleyball, softball game or picnic.