Posted: 12/6/2010 2:39:34 PM EDT
| I was thinking about setting one up. Nothing too big, maybe the 20 homes around me. Creating and distributing a map with everyone's name, cars make/model, and cell number to the members. Maybe give a bound notebook and pencil to everyone as a reminder to keep a look out. What do you guys think? Any other ideas? Seems like this would be a realistic way to deal with common SHTF situations. |
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Whats the interest level of such a group amongst your neighbors? if they lack your interest, they are dead weight.
In my experience it takes a prolonged problem to galvanize a neighborhood to work together to solve the problem..a rash of break-ins, for instance. If your neighbors aren't galvanized to work together, you are on your own until such time as they have a reason to be more motivated. |
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contact your local PD....they will help set it up as part of their PR programs.....they will also put up signs....and for us....we got 2 more cruises through the neighborhood daily.
we are on the out skirts of the county...so there isn't much of a PD presence. good luck. |
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We've got a very good one in our neighborhood. I think the best asset we have is several retired persons. Man, they see everything. At least twice this year they've seen people in cars casing the nieghborhood and our house.
Definitely get the police involved. If the neighborhood watch calls (even the non-emergency line) you'll get a faster response. Als, email alerts keep everyone in the know when there's an incident. |
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These type of "watches" can and will work if people take the time. Many times people make the "attempts" or "promises" to do the walks, checks, etc but never actually do them or "something" comes up last minute. If there are people who actually want to do it, then it will help.
PD's should actually have a "community relations officer" or equivalent that should help set up something like this. No need to spread cars/makes/cell #'s the PD (which won't randomly steal your car/etc because they have the info - ie can't trust neighbors 100%) can have all the info and give out some sort of sticker to place on the vehicles that show that they are part of "you" community and are being watched/checked/etc. That's what my pd does. |
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BOTS guy checking in at Echo2's request...
Formal Neighborhood Watch programs have a mixed record of success. The best advice I can give you is what most of you in this forum probably already know. Get to know your neighbors, especially their kids. Learn who belongs and who doesn't. Keeping crime out of your neighborhood is primarily your responsibility. Keep your property well maintained. Take valuables out of your cars at night and lock the car doors. Keep your garage doors closed. Make sure your property is well lit and use motion lights. Most criminals are opportunists. The three things that ward them off are noise, light, and time. If they need to make noise to get your stuff, they'll go somewhere else. If they'll likely been seen taking your stuff, they'll go somewhere else. If it takes too much time to get your stuff, they'll go somewhere else. Buy and install good locks and motion lights, and design your landscaping so that it does not conceal an intruder's presence to passers by. Do this, and encourage your neighbors to do this. A formal Neighborhood Watch program will basically tell you what I told you above. If you have a block party or a neighborhood BBQ, feel free to ask your local Department to have an officer stop by. Develop a relationship with the local cops. If they know you and know you're not the type to cry wolf, when you do call, they will take it that much more seriously. Don't believe everything you read in GD. Most of us are good people that absolutely LOVE catching bad guys. Help us. I'll check back in and respond to whatever specific questions anyone may have. |
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Not sure I have to worry about it. My neighbor/landlord is a retired state trooper and firearms instructor. The only other two houses within a half-mile on my dirt road are friendly rednecks. I think we will be good.
But at my old place I lived in an actual neighborhood. If I had stayed there after my divorce, I would have gotten around to printing up some index type cards or refrigerator magnets with a few tips on how to keep an eye on things and be a good witness. That would have been the starting point for a neighborhood watch group. I was going to pass them out to all the houses around me. |
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WOW! Great response! I couldn't agree more with the last few posts. I helped organize a local Neighborhood Watch back about 12 years ago. The first people I contacted was local PD. They were willing to help a little bit, but they knew something that I didn't as a new resident in that area; the locals for the most part, didn't give a shit. The place was a dump and got worst the further you got away from the main drag. I was fresh out of the military and it was all I could afford at the time. Most police agencies are willing to jump all over helping deter crime by utilizing a community relations officer for just that. I say "Most" because in today's age, a lot of police agencies have eliminated those positions due to budget restrains. Just the reality of the situation. Neighborhood watches are excellent if run properly.
As stated above, leave NOTHING in plain view in your car & lock your doors. If you have a garage, USE IT. If you leave MP3 players, camera's, electronics, valuables, in your car, you might as well hang a huge sign on your car that says "PLEASE STEAL MY SHIT!" I had a guy tell me that he couldn't believe that at the local bar, someone would break into his car and steal his laptop computer out of his backseat that also contained personal information as well as his passport and other misc. items. Well, MR. your parked in the back parking lot where it's dark.... I wanted to hand him a card a say; "call me in the next couple of days when your a victim if identity theft." But, instead I gave him step by step instructions to help him avoid just that. Lighting is a great deterrence, as well as your landscape. Like I said, as previously mentioned above. I worked the last 10 years on midnights before changing shifts. That's were this stuff happens, under the cover of darkness. Think to yourself, "how would I do this if I was gonna........." and make your adjustments from there. Most would be thieves are looking for a crime of opportunity If you leave them the opportunity, they will commit a crime. Make it hard for them and they will move on to an easier victim. Also as stated above, don't believe some of the hype. The pooolizze are your friends. Most love nothing more than catching someone in the act. It sure as hell beats taking the report after the fact, that's for sure. |
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Quoted:
BOTS guy checking in at Echo2's request... Formal Neighborhood Watch programs have a mixed record of success. The best advice I can give you is what most of you in this forum probably already know. Get to know your neighbors, especially their kids. Learn who belongs and who doesn't. Keeping crime out of your neighborhood is primarily your responsibility. Keep your property well maintained. Take valuables out of your cars at night and lock the car doors. Keep your garage doors closed. Make sure your property is well lit and use motion lights. Most criminals are opportunists. The three things that ward them off are noise, light, and time. If they need to make noise to get your stuff, they'll go somewhere else. If they'll likely been seen taking your stuff, they'll go somewhere else. If it takes too much time to get your stuff, they'll go somewhere else. Buy and install good locks and motion lights, and design your landscaping so that it does not conceal an intruder's presence to passers by. Do this, and encourage your neighbors to do this. A formal Neighborhood Watch program will basically tell you what I told you above. If you have a block party or a neighborhood BBQ, feel free to ask your local Department to have an officer stop by. Develop a relationship with the local cops. If they know you and know you're not the type to cry wolf, when you do call, they will take it that much more seriously. Don't believe everything you read in GD. Most of us are good people that absolutely LOVE catching bad guys. Help us. I'll check back in and respond to whatever specific questions anyone may have. Thank you Sir.....we had a Officer stop by after a PTA meeting just to introduce himself to the folks in the area.....went well. I was raised in the area....so I know most my neighbors.....makes it a lot easier.... 
Don't be afraid to contact the PD....they are there to help. |