Criteria for Establishing a Neighborhood Watch Group

One of the greatest assets of the Richfield crime prevention program is Neighborhood Watch. In order to ensure that it remains an effective program, certain guidelines have to be met by watch blocks. Without guidelines to meet, some areas would put up the watch signs and then not follow through with the activities that make Neighborhood Watch effective. By making Watch areas meet criteria, every existing and future Watch group becomes stronger. In short, the criteria give the signs meaning.

Therefore, the following criteria must be met before your area may become a part of Richfield?s Neighborhood Watch.

1. An initial crime prevention meeting must be held with the Crime Prevention Officer or Crime Prevention Specialist present. At least four topics will be discussed at this meeting:

• Purpose and operation of the Neighborhood Watch Program.
• Crime prevention techniques and hardware.
• Reporting crime and suspicious activity.
• Neighborhood concerns; i.e., property maintenance, animal control, juvenile problems, or traffic complaints.

1. A block captain and co-captain must be elected during the first meeting. They must understand and be willing to accept the responsibilities.
2. Follow-up meetings should be held at least twice a year. Neighborhood Watch blocks usually meet on National Night Out and one other day during the year. Meetings may be social functions as well as a time to discuss crime or other neighborhood concerns.
3. Watch blocks must maintain a current list of block members. The list should include names, addresses, and phone numbers of all block residents.
4. Other Criteria:

• Active participation of at least 50% of the Watch area residents.
• Attendance at initial meeting
• Participation in Operation Identification.
• Having a Home Security Survey performed.

The only cost of the Neighborhood Watch Program is a fee to lease the Crime Watch signs at $20 each. By establishing stringent requirements, we hope to increase both the quantity and quality of the active Neighborhood Watch Areas.