HOW TO FORM A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH GROUP

“People still think it can’t happen to them,” says Jerry Roodhuyzen, an Irvine community relations officer. “But after their home is burglarized or their car gets stolen, they decide to get serious about prevention,” he said.

According to Roodhuyzen, one of the best and least expensive ways to protect your property is to organize a Neighborhood Alert group. “Alarms and locks are great, but residents can help make their neighborhood safer by watching out for each other.” he said.

Neighborhood Alert is a nationwide crime-prevention program conducted by police departments throughout Orange County and known locally as Neighborhood Watch. Specially trained officers conduct in-home workshops to instruct residents on how to keep a watchful eye out for any suspicious activity in their neighborhood. “The most important outcome of the meeting is that people get to know their neighbors. That way they have some idea who belongs there and who doesn’t. They’ll know to keep an eye on strangers entering their neighbor’s back yard, especially when nobody’s home,” Roodhuyzen said.

The Huntington Beach Police Department has carried its program a step further by distributing a monthly newsletter to Neighborhood Alert members and broadcasting crime-prevention programs on the local public-access cable channel. “You have to do something to keep the idea of prevention in front of people. That way it becomes second nature,” said Susie Wajda of the Huntington Beach Police Community Relations Department.

Starting a Neighborhood Alert group in your area:

* Contact your local police department. If you live in the county, contact the Sheriff’s Department. Ask about the crime situation in your neighborhood. Explain that you would like to start a Neighborhood Alert group and request that a law enforcement representative attend your first meeting.

* Talk to your neighbors. Tell them about crime problems in your area, using the information given you by the police department.

* Briefly explain the value of Neighborhood Alert programs.

* Ask about convenient times to schedule your initial Neighborhood Alert meeting.

Be sure to mention that:

* Neighborhood Alert does not require frequent meetings.

* It does not ask that anyone take any personal risks to prevent crime.

* Neighborhood Alert leaves the responsibility for apprehending criminals where it belongs--with a law enforcement agency.

Arrange a date, time and place for the first meeting:

* Select a time that is convenient for most neighbors and your law enforcement representative.

* Plan the meeting date far enough in advance to give everyone adequate notice.

* Distribute a flyer announcing the meeting.

* Remind people of the meeting date as it approaches (two to three days before).

During the meeting:

* Your law enforcement representative will give a brief explanation of the Neighborhood Alert program and will discuss specific crime problems in your area. You’ll also receive instruction on how to report a crime, what to look for and how to describe a person, vehicle or activity to police.

* Select a block captain to serve as liaison between the police and your Neighborhood Alert group. That person should also maintain a master list of all members. In order to share the work and responsibilities, the block captain position should be rotated on a regular basis.

* Develop and distribute maps that clearly identify streets. Show the name, address and phone number of each home.

* Gather and share information. Knowing your neighbors’ daily routine and belongings will help you recognize unusual or suspicious activities. Some basic information to exchange would be:

-- Who has dogs.

-- Number, ages and identity of family members.

-- Scheduled deliveries or repairs.

-- Home and work phone numbers.

Afterward:

* Call the police immediately to report suspicious situations outlined by your law enforcement representative. A five-minute delay means the chance of catching the criminal drops by two-thirds.

* In many cases it is what victims and witnesses tell police about the criminal that results in an arrest. So tell the police as much as you can. No fact is too trivial.

Source: Neighborhood Alert Program