Neighborhood Watch

Weekly Crime Bulletins

What is Neighborhood Watch?

Neighborhood Watch is a partnership between law enforcement and the community. Together we can reduce crime and illegal activities in our neighborhood, curtail drug dealings and involvement in our area and put the "neighbor" back into neighborhood.

What are the benefits of Neighborhood Watch?

1. We reduce our risk of becoming victims of crime.
2. We become better a responding to suspicious activity.
3. We gain access to information about crimes in our area.
4. A Neighborhood Watch sign will signal that our neighborhood is not an easy target.
5. We get to know our neighbors better for mutual protection.
6. We feel safer, less fearful of crime.
7. We can address other issues of concern to our neighborhood.

How do I get a Neighborhood Watch started ?

Check with the neighbors to see if they are interested.
Contact Crime Prevention Specialist Adele El-Ayoubi at the Neighborhood Watch Office to set up a date, time, and location for a meeting and for invitations.
(734-994-8775 AElayoubi@ci.ann-arbor.mi.us)
Hold meeting and have participants volunteer for Block Captain and Co-Captain.
Block Captain should visit neighbors who were unable to attend the meeting.

The following forms can be used for a meeting:

Neighborhood Watch Meeting Sign In Sheet (pdf)
Captain Change Form (pdf)
Home Security Check List (pdf)
How to Describe a Suspicious Incident
Emergency Contact Information (pdf)

How does Neighborhood Watch work?

Neighborhood Watch works by bringing residents in a neighborhood together for the purpose of reporting suspicious activity, informing each other about crimes that occur in the neighborhood and employing crime prevention techniques. The Block Captain's role is to gather information and disseminate it to the other residents. The Police Department's role is to respond to calls for service, provide literature and resource material to the Block Captain and to notify the Block Captain if there are crime patterns or trends that are identified in their neighborhood.

How to Plan a Neighborhood Watch Meeting

Starting the group - talk to your neighbors, define your area, send in your paperwork
Scheduling meetings - not on a Saturday, block parties on Saturdays. Plan around: Monday Night Football, Wednesday night Church, sports playoff games.
Do NOT: Invite other speakers at your initial meeting (no time).
After PD is done, plan future meetings, have people mix.
Can have other meetings without police present.
First meeting - need:
1. name tags, food, no alcohol at NW meetings, Sign-in sheets
Signs - Metal, criteria (2 mtgs./year, first w/PD rep, 50% part is goal)
Telephone Tree
Plan for your retirement as a NW Captain. Involve your Co-Captains.
Meetings (after initial): don't need PD present to be considered a NW meeting, can include yard sales, block parties, pot lucks, National Night Out. - but not executive Home Owners Association board meetings.

What is S.A.R.A. Problem Solving for Meetings? (pdf)

Keys to Problem Solving

Get all the facts from the direct source. Talk to everyone involved. Get input and ask for help with the solution
Keep a record of all contacts - when, where, and what each said.
Never assume - always verify.
While verifying, don't discuss the assertions as if it were true. Refer to the statement as "according to Mr. Smith..."
Do research into the problem. Dig until it makes sense
Think of every possible solution. Include everyone's input (don't forget that kids can have great ideas).

To answer the call to double the amount of neighborhood watches throughout the United States, please sign up with the National Neighborhood Watch Database, sponsored and maintained by the National Association of Sheriffs, all information is kept confidential. http://www.usaonwatch.org/