Neighborhood Watch And Local Police

An essential part of a neighborhood watch program is maintaining a relationship with the local police department. If you are starting a new group they can help you get going. Police departments work with local groups in a number of ways. They will usually have a few officers act as liaisons to assist you. They can be your conduits for relaying community issues and concerns to the police in the area and provide neighborhood watch tips. If a member of the crime watch observes suspicious persons or activity they can alert local law enforcement. Ask for their help in organizing local community events, self-defense classes and other helpful seminars. Another important service they may be able to provide is web-based. See if they can provide useful tips and content for a neighborhood crime watch web site. This can have information on both your group and the local police department aimed at educating and informing people of what is happening in the community. Getting a police officer to attend your meetings is a good way of showing people that the group is serious about safeguarding the community. It also creates a more constructive relationship with the police department and increases the effectiveness of your efforts.