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Neighborhood Watch Newsletter Vol. I (April 5, 2002)

Thank you for your interest in Neighborhood Watch. The Neighborhood Watch Program is a highly successful crime prevention effort that has been in existence for more than 30 years in cities across America. Neighborhood Watch brings together local officials, law enforcement, and citizens for the protection of communities. Developed in response to a multitude of requests from sheriffs and police chiefs nationwide looking for a crime prevention program that would incorporate citizen involvement, Neighborhood Watch became a national program under the auspices of the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA). NSA has been instrumental in launching the expanded Neighborhood Watch Program.

The Neighborhood Watch Program is already a strong force for community protection in America’s neighborhoods. NSA is expanding the Neighborhood Watch Program so that it serves more community groups, and offers community members new information about how to recognize and report signs of potential terrorist activity in their neighborhoods. These residents are critical in the detection, prevention, and disruption of terrorism.

Over the next two years, the NSA will help to double the number of Neighborhood Watch Programs operating throughout the country from approximately 7,500 to more than 15,000. Neighborhood Watch materials and training will also be revised to teach individuals how they can assist in the war against terrorism by incorporating preparedness in their daily lives. Neighborhood Watch will continue to work to reduce crime in neighborhoods nationwide by encouraging businesses, the faith community, schools, and citizens to cooperate and assist local law enforcement by reporting suspicious activity.

In addition to your interest in the Neighborhood Watch Program, you may also find helpful the Citizen Preparedness Guide. The National Crime Prevention Council, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Justice, has developed the guide for use in Neighborhood Watch and other Citizen Corps programs. The guide provides specific actions citizens can take in their communities to reduce crime. The guide outlines five specific themes: protecting one’s self and family; protecting and comforting children; knowing and caring for neighbors; reporting crimes and suspicious activity; and emergency preparedness. Get a free copy of the guide at http://www.citizencorps.gov/ready/guidebook.shtm, or by calling 1-800-WE-PREVENT.

Also, check out the Neighborhood Watch website http://www.usaonwatch.org for more information about this program and how to start one in your neighborhood.

Again, thank you for your interest!