History of Block Watch Programs
In early 1972, the National Sheriffs Association developed a model program for today’s Neighborhood Watch or Crime Watch programs. At that time Chiefs of Police and Sheriffs from around the country were requesting a program that would squelch the increasing burglary rate across the United States.
It was noted that communities able to obtain the assistance of their citizens in observing and reporting suspicious or criminal activities, were able to keep the burglary rate down.
At that time, society increasingly became more mobile and faster paced. More households had both the husband and the wife working so neighborhoods became deserted during the day. Neighbors stopped being concerned about their neighbor’s property and began keeping more to themselves. The unity and cohesion of the traditional neighborhood was gradually deteriorating.
Along with law enforcement officers, criminals recognized this trend and began to take advantage of this knowledge by moving in and out of neighborhoods without causing alarm or suspicion. Law enforcement agencies alone weren’t able to keep up with the alarming rise in burglaries as a result. The need for assistance in combating this crime was provided by National Sheriffs Association’s newly developed program.
Numerous communities adopted and implemented the proposed program with astounding success. The rate of specific crimes such as burglary decreased as much as 75%. In addition to a decline in the burglary rate, implementation of Neighborhood Watch programs also resulted in substantial reductions of other crimes as well.
Neighborhood Watch works because people wanted to assume a more active role in making their communities safe. It would be impractical to place a law enforcement officer into each neighborhood and very practical to utilize those who live there. Residents within a neighborhood know who belongs there and who doesn’t and what activity is suspicious. The most important neighborhood watch works, is that citizens began working with, instead of relying on, law enforcement to combat crime in their community.
As the number of success stories about Neighborhood Watch increase, more and more communities have adopted the program. Over thirty years have passed since Neighborhood Watch first began. It continues to evolve and expand to encompass more than just neighborhood concerns, hence the name Community Watch.
Other issues of concern to the community as a whole are addressed by Community Watch such as Drug Awareness, Business Crime Prevention, Personal Safety, First Aid, Health and Safety, Fire Prevention, City or County Planning, Street Repairing and Disaster Preparedness.
In early 1972, the National Sheriffs Association developed a model program for today’s Neighborhood Watch or Crime Watch programs. At that time Chiefs of Police and Sheriffs from around the country were requesting a program that would squelch the increasing burglary rate across the United States.
It was noted that communities able to obtain the assistance of their citizens in observing and reporting suspicious or criminal activities, were able to keep the burglary rate down.
At that time, society increasingly became more mobile and faster paced. More households had both the husband and the wife working so neighborhoods became deserted during the day. Neighbors stopped being concerned about their neighbor’s property and began keeping more to themselves. The unity and cohesion of the traditional neighborhood was gradually deteriorating.
Along with law enforcement officers, criminals recognized this trend and began to take advantage of this knowledge by moving in and out of neighborhoods without causing alarm or suspicion. Law enforcement agencies alone weren’t able to keep up with the alarming rise in burglaries as a result. The need for assistance in combating this crime was provided by National Sheriffs Association’s newly developed program.
Numerous communities adopted and implemented the proposed program with astounding success. The rate of specific crimes such as burglary decreased as much as 75%. In addition to a decline in the burglary rate, implementation of Neighborhood Watch programs also resulted in substantial reductions of other crimes as well.
Neighborhood Watch works because people wanted to assume a more active role in making their communities safe. It would be impractical to place a law enforcement officer into each neighborhood and very practical to utilize those who live there. Residents within a neighborhood know who belongs there and who doesn’t and what activity is suspicious. The most important neighborhood watch works, is that citizens began working with, instead of relying on, law enforcement to combat crime in their community.
As the number of success stories about Neighborhood Watch increase, more and more communities have adopted the program. Over thirty years have passed since Neighborhood Watch first began. It continues to evolve and expand to encompass more than just neighborhood concerns, hence the name Community Watch.
Other issues of concern to the community as a whole are addressed by Community Watch such as Drug Awareness, Business Crime Prevention, Personal Safety, First Aid, Health and Safety, Fire Prevention, City or County Planning, Street Repairing and Disaster Preparedness.