Neighborhood Watch

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Click here for a video about Neighborhood Watch

WHY NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH??

 

Block Watch, Town Watch, Crime Watch –

Regardless of the name, it’s one of the most effective and least costly answers to crime.  Watch groups not only prevent crime, they are often a catalyst for bringing better services and restoring or establishing pride to a neighborhood.  Any resident of the community can join a Watch group – young and old, single and married, apartment dweller and homeowner.  The Watch concept is very flexible and can be organized around any neighborhood of residences.  There are Park Watches, Airport Watches, Apartment Watches, Window Watches, Boat Watches, Realtor Watches and Business Watches.

 

 

ORGANIZING YOUR WATCH


 

A watch group can be organized by a community association, a few concerned citizens or a law enforcement agency.  Interested persons should call the Collierville Police Department who can assist you in getting started.  When a group decides to adopt the Watch idea, it selects a coordinator and block captains who will be responsible for communicating information about meetings and incidents of crime to watchers.  The Watch group, with the help of the Collierville Police Department trains the members in home security, observation skills and accurate crime reporting. It also educates residents about the types of crime to which the area is prone.  The coordinators and block captains prepare a map showing names, addresses and phone numbers of all households in the Watch and distribute it to the members.  They also recruit new residents and keep the map and phone list up to date.  When the Watch group meets eligibility requirements set by the Collierville Police Department, such as 50 % of household enrollment and some crime prevention training taken place, Neighborhood Watch signs are erected in the Neighborhood.

 

 

WHAT DO WATCHERS DO?

  1. They make their own homes secure by installing good locks and using them, trimming shrubbery that hides doors and windows, marking valuables with unique identifying numbers, and taking steps to make their homes look lived in while the family is at work, school, or on vacation.

  2. They watch out for their neighbors by keeping an eye on each other’s homes and exchanging daily routines and vacation plans.  They keep an eye on the neighborhood children and help special residents such as the elderly or disabled feel more secure.

  3. They learn how to observe and report any suspicious activity to the Collierville Police Department.

  4. Watchers also reach out to help improve the quality of community life through activities such as visiting and assisting crime victims, cleaning up parks, promoting child safety, and creating recreational and service opportunities for their young people.

  5. They learn to create better, safer communities.

 

 

WHAT’S SUSPICIOUS AND SHOULD

BE REPORTED ? 

√  Someone running from a car or home

√  Someone screaming

√  Someone going from house to house looking into windows and parked cars

√  A  person who seems to have no purpose wandering in the neighborhood 

√  Any unusual or suspicious noise that you can’t explain, such as breaking glass or pounding.

√  Vehicles moving slowly, without lights or with no apparent destination

√   Property being removed from closed businesses or residences known to be unoccupied

√  A stranger entering a neighbor’s house or apartment that appears to be unoccupied.

√  A stranger sitting in a car or stopping to beckon to a child

√  A child resisting the advances of an adult

√  A strange van parked in a neighborhood

√  Any abandoned vehicles

 

 

HOW TO REPORT

√  Give your name and address

√  Describe the event in as brief a manner as possible.  Where, When, How and Who did it?

√  State whether the crime is in progress or has already been completed

√  Describe the suspect, sex and race, age , height, weight, hair color, accent, beard or mustache, and other distinctive characteristics or clothing.

√  Describe the vehicle if one is involved – color, make, model, year, license plate, special markings, dents.  Which way did it go ?

 

   

REMEMBER – Watch groups are not vigilantes and do not assume the role of the Police.  They only ask citizens to be alert, observant and caring. They serve as extra eyes and ears for the Collierville Police Department and their neighbors.

 

             KEEPING NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH 

GOING AND GROWING

 

Just because crime declines, don’t let your Neighborhood Watch group die.  Stay alert and aware, be neighborly, and look to other activities to enhance community safety and well-being.  Contact the Special Citizen Volunteer Program for meeting ideas.

 

√ Conduct home security surveys and Operation

Identification for elderly and handicapped residents.

 

√ Be sure that your group knows how to report suspicious activity to the Police Department.  Follow up each contact.

 

√ Organize meetings that focus on current issues such as isolation of the elderly, drug abuse, crime in schools, after-school programs, child safety and victim services.

 

√ Publish a newsletter that highlights community activities, gives local crime news and recognizes block captains and other persons who have helped the group by reporting crimes or suspicious activities to the Police.

 

√ Accompany children to the park or school playground. Take turns with neighbors.

 

√ Adopt a park. Walk it, pick up litter, report damage or vandalism.

 

√ Make a resource list for your Watch group of numbers to call for emergencies, child abuse, victim services, lighting, street repair, youth activities, senior centers and services.

 

√ Organize a community clean-up day.

 

√ Start a McGruff Safe House program for children

 

√ Don’t forget events like block parties, 4th of July parades, pot luck dinners to give the neighbors a chance to get together.

 

To Start up Call  901- 457-2571