A neighborhood watch program is a successful effort that has been in effect for over 30 years in towns, cities and rural areas across the country. Based on cooperation, they bring together law enforcement, city officials and residents around Wyoming in an effort to work together to provide protection for their homes and communities. The neighborhood watch program helps dicsourage crimes such as burglary, vandalism and mischief that threatens every member of each community in Wyoming.
Also known as Crime Watch, Block Watch or Community Watch, the program's success is based on the commitment of the public and their local police department to work together to observe, report and dissuade crime in their communities. Residents protect and take care of their own homes as well as those of their fellow city residents. Taking an active role in the protection of their families and possessions better able residents to discourage criminal activity and keep their neighborhoods safe.
How to get involved in Wyoming
Joining a neighborhood watch program is as simple as locating one that may already exist in your neighborhood and attending a meeting to express your interest in becoming a member. If your community in Wyoming doesn't have a neighborhood watch program in effect, starting one is a relatively simple process as well.
First, form a small planning committee with your neighbors to determine how interest your community is in forming a crime watch program of its own. If interest is high enough to continue, decide on a place and time for the first official neighborhood watch meeting. (Meeting spots may include one of the resident's homes, a room at your local community center or library, etc.)
Next, you want to inform your local police or sheriff's office of the meeting 10 to 14 days in advance. This will provide them with enough time to assign a crime prevention officer to your neighborhood that will attend your meeting and help inform members of your community about the Neighborhood Watch Program and what is required to form their own groups. In addition, the officer will be able to discuss crime statistics in the area and will provide you with local and international contacts in order to help with the organizing and maintenance of your communities' program.
Commitment and cooperation is key in forming a Neighborhood Watch Program. If the interest isn't there, the program won't be successful. Create a flyer or letter to be delivered to every household in the neighborhood to inform and ask others to volunteer their time.
Key Positions in a Neighborhood Watch Program
To obtain a successful Neighborhood Watch Program, there are key positions of responsibility which are elected by the members of the group.
Neighborhood Watch Coordinator - responsible for expanding the program and handling new members. This position is best served by an individual who spends more time at home and can keep a closer watch on the neighborhood. He/she is in charge of maintaining a current list of participants and neighborhood residents and acts as a liaison between watch members, civic groups, block captains and law enforcement officers.
Block Captain - responsible for establishing a "telephone chain" or a current list of names, addresses and telephone numbers of block participants and distributing this list to the members of the neighborhood watch program. A Block Captain should be designated for every 10 to 15 houses within the neighborhood. They will also visit and invite new residents to join the neighborhood watch program and notify them of upcoming meetings.
You can only protect your homes and belongings on your own when you are present. Neighborhood Watch Programs are designed to help protect your homes and belongings when you are not present as well. With the collaboration of neighbors, you all can help one another keep your homes, belonging and children safe around the clock.
If your neighborhood has a watch program already in effect, think about becoming a member. And if it doesn't, consider creating one today.
Joe