Communication is the cornerstone of the Neighborhood Watch Program. Back in 1972 when the Neighborhood Watch program was launched, there was no public internet. Today however, a Neighborhood Link Website can help you create a successful Neighborhood Watch program in your neighborhood.
Neighborhood Watch is about more than fighting crime
Neighborhoods across the nation use Neighborhood Watch to prevent crime and build stronger relationships with law enforcement. Yet Neighborhood Watch is not just about crime prevention. It is about getting to know neighbors and enhancing the quality of life in the neighborhood. An important goal at neighborhood meetings is to learn more about each other so neighbors are available to help each other during difficult times. These days many Neighborhood Watch groups have begun using websites to help amplify and enhace their efforts. Neighborhood Link, which was established in 1998, hosts over 36,000 neighborhood websites across the country. Out of that 36,000, several hundred are Neighborhood Watch websites.
Essential elements in a Neighborhood Watch Program
Some of the essential steps involved in setting up and maintaining a successful Neighborhood Watch program involve:
- Creating a map of streets and households covered in the program
- Holding regular meetings
- Communicating Crime activity to neighbors
Neighborhood Link Websites facilitate a Neighborhood Watch program
- Every Neighborhood Link website provides free mapping tools that can be utilized to depict the coverage area of your Neighborhood Watch group.
- Every Neighborhood Link website provides a calendar tool that will facilitate communicating the time and place of meetings.
- Every Neighborhood Link website has its own Discussion forum where neighbors can discuss crime activity in the neighborhood.
- Every Neighborhood Link website provides an area to post essential documents, newsletters and links that will help keep neighbors informed of any crime activity in the neighborhood.
- Every Neighborhood Link website provides a separate area to list contacts and essential phone numbers.
- Finally, Neighborhood Link websites are free and easy to use.
Neighborhood Link hosts hundreds of free Neighborhood Watch Sites
Below are some examples of Neighborhood Watch groups around the country using Neighborhood Link Websites:
- Ansley Park Neighborhood Watch- A Neighborhood Watch Group in Athens, GA
- Ballast Point Neighborhood Watch- A Neighborhood Watch in Tampa, FL
- Carefree Crossing Estates Neighborhood Watch- Neighborhood Watch in Phoenix, AZ
- Germantown Oaks Neighborhood Watch- A Neighborhood Watch group in Memphis, TN
- Harry Stone Neighborhood Watch- A Neighborhood Watch in Dallas, TX
- Westown Watch Neighborhood Association- A Combination Neighborhood Watch and Neighborhood Association in Phoenix, AZ
- Windhover Condo Neighborhood Watch- Local Neighborhood Watch group in Orlando, FL
Setup Your Free Neighborhood Watch Website on Neighborhood Link Today!
Go here to Activate a free Neighborhood Watch Website
For More Information on the Neighborhood Watch Program:
- See this article on How to Start a Neighborhood Watch Program
- See this other article for an overview on Neighborhood Watch-What is It?
- Step by Step Guide: How to Start a Neighborhood Association
- USA On Watch-The Face of the National Neighborhood Watch Program
- Tools and Resoures from the National Crime Prevention Council