A Neighborhood Watch Program: Community Crime Prevention And Crimes

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A Neighborhood Watch program consists of community crime prevention efforts involving local residents organizing and sharing information about crime and other nefarious activity in their immediate area. The essence of Neighborhood Watch is crime prevention through education and use of common sense. In cooperation with local law enforcement, citizens are taught how to properly identify and report suspicious activity or criminal offending in their neighborhoods. Watch groups primarily focus on observation and awareness as the main crime prevention strategies. These tactics can be as simple as having neighborhood residents keep vigilance on neighbors’ property to as complex as organizing active citizen patrol groups. A second purpose of Neighborhood …show more content…

From theoretical limitations of the program to concerns from citizens that the crime prevention program will result in intrusive behavior on the part of neighbors, some studies have found limited positive effects on reductions in crime or on the program’s ability to create connections between neighbors and law enforcement. In 2005 Neighborhood Watch was formally introduced on Native American reservations. Euphemistically termed RezWatch, Neighborhood Watch programs on tribal lands were started in efforts to combat drug manufacturing and distribution as well as alcohol abuse by residents and outsiders. Some tribes have implemented anonymous tip lines to enable residents to inform tribal police about criminal offending, while others have instituted brochures and flyers to raise awareness about the watch programs and compel citizens to report instances of crime, violence, or disorder. In 2002, USAonWatch.org, Neighborhood Watch’s Web presence, was launched through partnerships between the National Sheriffs’ Association, USA Freedom Corps, Citizen Corps, and the U.S. Department of Justice. The Web site is a treasure trove of valuable information for citizens on the creation of Neighborhood Watch groups, the history of the crime prevention initiative, and links to partnering agencies within the greater law enforcement

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