Featured Article -- January 2007

Who's watching your neighborhood?

Plan, organize and sustain an effort to enhance homeland security… one home at a time, starting with yours.

Did you know that a Neighborhood Watch Program is one of the most effective means available for keeping crime out of your neighborhood? 

Watch programs rely on the best crime-fighting tool ever created: good neighbors. Fortunately, good neighbors are found in every neighborhood across the nation. They live in houses and apartments, in cities and rural areas.

The National Sheriffs' Association is recognized for giving life to the modern-day Neighborhood Watch concept in the early 1970s. Today, it is one of the most popular and successful of all efforts to prevent crime. Many law enforcement experts credit citizen participation in Neighborhood Watch as one of the primary reasons for a declining burglary rate. Neighborhood Watch is not only a successful strategy to combat neighborhood crimes -- it has become a potential weapon in the domestic war on terrorism.

In his 2002, State of the Union Address, President George W. Bush challenged Americans to become involved in local homeland security efforts:  "Many ask, 'What can I do to help in our fight?' The answer is simple. All of us can become a September the 11th volunteer, by making a commitment to service in our own communities. So you can serve your country by tutoring or mentoring a child, comforting the afflicted, housing those in need of shelter and a home. You can participate in your Neighborhood Watch or Crimestoppers."

In the great tradition of American volunteerism, the Neighborhood Watch program brings together citizens and law enforcement to weave a seamless web of prevention of crime and keep our communities safe. 

Years ago, there was little need for an organized program that encouraged citizens to keep a watchful eye on their neighbor's property. Concern for the well being of neighbors was routine, since family life evolved around the neighborhood. Today, however, many activities that previously enhanced neighborliness now take place outside of the neighborhood.

If you are interested in a Neighborhood Watch Program for your area, your first action should be to contact your local law enforcement officials for assistance and support.  You can also obtain additional information from the organizations listed below, and watch our Web site for more information and a guide in the future.

Remember, the primary purpose of a Neighborhood Watch Program is to present ways in which a community can plan, organize and sustain an effort to enhance homeland security… one home at a time, starting with yours.

NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH RESOURCES

National Sheriff's Association
1450 Duke Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 836-7827 FAX (703) 683-6541
www.USAonwatch.org

National Crime Prevention Council
1000 Connecticut Avenue, NW, 13th floor
Washington, DC 20036
(202) 261-4126 FAX (202) 296-1356
www.npcc.org

National Association of Town Watch / National Night Out
P.O. Box 303
7 Wynnewood Road, Suite 215
Wynnewood, PA 19096
(610) 649-7055
www.nationaltownwatch.org

National McGruff House Network
66 East Cleveland Avenue
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
(801) 486-8768 FAX (801) 486-8815
www.geocities.com/ncscrpc/Mcgruff_house.html

Citizen Corps
Coordinated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security
www.citizencorps.gov

Medical Reserve Corps
Department of Homeland Security
Washington, DC 20528
www.dhs.gov

National Neighborhood Watch Institute
P.O. Box 4208
Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670
(888) 669-4872
www.nnwi.org

 

The threat level in the airline sector is HIGH or Orange. See www.dhs.gov for details.

An online Suspicious Activity Report Form (SAR) will be available soon.