Police Urge Residents to Start Neighborhood Watch Groups

By Newark Police

Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program made up of volunteers. The program is organized and operated by a group of people living in the same area who want to make their neighborhood safer by working together, with the assistance and resources of the police department.

The program provides opportunities to work toward increasing safety, improving the quality of life of local communities, and reducing crime rates. 

The police department partners with residents to educate them regarding how and why crime happens, how to improve both home and personal safety, and to determine how and when to contact law enforcement.

Residents who are interested can schedule a Neighborhood Watch meeting where a Police representative will come to discuss things such as: crime in your city and specific area, how and why the program works, and what other neighborhoods are doing. 

To participate in a Neighborhood Watch program, schedule an initial meeting of neighbors that a Police representative will attend.

At that meeting, create a roster of members’ contact information and a neighborhood map, then select a Block Captain and an Alternate to be the liaisons between the group and the police department. Decide how many signs the group wants and where they should be installed.

To keep a group active, it must meet at least once a year, distribute Crime Alert Bulletins when provided by the police department, and maintain a current map and member roster. 

The Neighborhood Watch program empowers citizens and teaches them how to help themselves by identifying and reporting suspicious activity in their neighborhoods.

The program draws upon the compassion of average citizens, asking them to lend their neighbors a hand. Not only does Neighborhood Watch allow citizens to help in the fight against crime, it is also an opportunity for communities to bond through service. 

There are many benefits to a neighborhood watch program. Start the dialogue with your neighbors and see if you can start one in your neighborhood. It is a great way to build community, cut down on crime and rethink what a "neighborhood" is all about! 

To get more information about starting up a program in your area, contact: 

Tim Jones 
Special Assistant 
Community Engagement Division 
Newark Police Dept. 
(510) 578-4209 
tim.jones@newark.org