Neighborhood Watch

What is Neighborhood Watch?

Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the country, bringing neighbors together together with law enforcement to deter crime and make communities safer.  This non-confrontational program is about neighbors keeping an eye out for each other, noticing and reporting when something looks suspicious, and doing our part to make sure Windsor Park isn’t an easy target. While some criminals may meticulously plan out their crimes, most simply seize opportunities that present themselves.  Streets on which neighbors aren’t connected to each other, aren’t paying attention to what’s happening around them, and aren’t familiar enough with each other to know when something is out of place make an opportunist criminal’s job easy.  Participants in the Neighborhood Watch don’t put themselves in harm’s way or act as law enforcement; they simply get to know each other, pay attention, and call the police when they spot something suspicious.

What to Look Out For

• Suspicious persons or activities, things that just aren’t normal for your street.
• Vehicles passing by multiple times, suspiciously parked, or that appear to be aimlessly cruising.
• Strangers loitering on your street, often with cell phones and/or backpacks.
• Teens hanging out in the neighborhood while school is in session.
• People with flyers or handouts. They may be casing the neighborhood, looking for easy targets
• The person “taking a short-cut” through a yard
• Strange vehicles parked at your neighbor’s house

How to Get Involved in Neighborhood Watch

It’s simple!  Just be A.L.E.R.T. and do the “Five”

• Alert: I know who my neighbors and who their kids are. I know what cars belong on my street.
• Lights: My house is well lit at night. I have installed motion detectors or dusk to dawn lights in areas where people may walk.
• Emergency: I am ready for a crisis and keep neighbors phone numbers handy, just in case. I know neighbors’ kids would come to my house for help. I could tell the firefighters how many pets and kids to save if there was a fire on my street.
• Responsible: I call 311 and 911 when I see a potential issue. I ask for an incident number and report it to the Watch so it can be recorded. I bring bigger issues to my Neighborhood Association so the community is aware of what is happening.
• Tidy: I keep my street and my home neat. I trim my bushes and trees so windows and doors can be seen. I keep my drive and porch free of clutter. I pick up trash on my street, handle graffiti, and pitch in to help other neighbors who need a hand. I want criminals to see that my street is loved and their activities will not be tolerated!
• The “Five“:  I keep an eye out for my neighbors on either side of me and on my three neighbors across the street.

Be Informed & Connected

Visit Spotcrime and Krimelabb to learn more about crime in our area, and contact the Windsor Park Neighborhood Association Safety Committee if you would like help organizing a Neighborhood Watch on your street.