RSCA wants to thank Ken Faljean, Captain Ed Hernandez and Captain Eric Staziak for attending and putting on our safety meeting on August 16, 2011.
We also want to thank the various members of the Shores community that took the time to come out for the meeting. It’s people working together for a safe neighborhood that makes us such a great community to live in. For those who were not able to attend, please review the Neighborhood Watch notice below for information about the program — informational packets about Neighborhood Watch are available upon request, so please email us if you are interested.
To combat crime in communities everywhere, cities are banding together to fight crime through Neighborhood Watch programs. Unfortunately, there are still a large number of areas left unprotected. If yours is one of them, here are some guidelines will help you to organize your own Neighborhood Watch. It usually takes up to a month to get started, and here are some ways you might start:
Define the Neighborhood
Determine the area your Watch group will cover. Keep in mind that the bigger the area, the bigger the group will be. That means you will need a larger space for meetings, more materials for flyers, more time to organize, etc.
Secure a Meeting Spot
If your Watch only covers your street, meetings can probably be held in a private home. If your area is much bigger, you may need to obtain permission to use a school or church in the area.
Identify Crime In Your Area
No area is completely free of crime and knowing just what crimes you are up against will greatly improve the chances of a successful Watch. The Memphis Police Department Crime Mapper will allow you to view crime activity in a given area searchable by zip code or address. After viewing these statistics, be sure to print them out as they will help you in creating your Watch group.
Get Help From Law Enforcement
Contact your neighborhood’s police precinct and ask for the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator. The coordinator will set up times to host two Neighborhood Watch meetings and give you tips on organizing your group. The Memphis Police Department Precinct phone numbers are:
Recruit Neighbors
The most effective way to get others involved is to convince them that there is a real need for a Watch. Many people erroneously believe that they live in a safe neighborhood. Using your data on crime for your location, you can effectively convince your neighbors to participate.
Stay Active
Set up a yearly meeting to receive new tips and updates from the police department. Throughout the year, touch base with your neighbors and encourage them to remain active. While it takes diligence and hard work to bring it all together, organizing a Neighborhood Watch can be a very effective way to reduce crime and make a difference in your community.
Tips: Delegate the responsibility of this task, utilize law enforcement, and stay informed on crime in the area.
What you need is a neighborhood without this program, a church, school or a home to hold meetings, some willing neighbors to assist you, and a printer and paper to print flyers and other informative materials.
The benefits are many of a Neighborhood Watch are many — beyond preventing crime and reducing fear, Neighborhood Watch (NW) builds pride, forges bonds among block residents – by really getting to know and look out for neighbors, improves citizen-police relations, and can address other block issues and concerns like child safety, youth development, senior citizen welfare, and quality-of-life.