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Neighborhood Watch
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What is Neighborhorhood Watch?
Neighborhood Watch is a citizen's involvement program where residents, in cooperation with the Harlan Police Department, directly participate in the detection and prevention of criminal activity. Neighborhood Watch is a program that:
1 Allow neighbors to get to know one another and familiarize themselves with their neighbors' routines. Therefore, any out of place activity can be reported to the Bowling Green Police and appropriately investigated.
2 Teaches residents techniques in order to reduce the risk of being victimized at home and in public.
3 Trains citizens on the importance of recognizing suspicious activity and how to report the incident.
4 Teaches participants how to make their homes more secure and properly mark and identify their property.
5 Involves residents in other aspects within their neighborhood, i.e., issues which can be directed to other city departments.
Neighborhood Watch is not:
1 A vigilante group working outside the normal procedures of law enforcement.
2 A program designed for participants to take personal risks to prevent crime.
3 A 100% guarantee that crime will not occur within the neighborhood.
Why Participate in a Neighborhood Watch?
A Neighborhood Watch program will have many rewards to you and your family, regardless of whether or not you live in a high crime area. Neighborhood Watch is known to instill a greater sense of security, well being, and reduce the fear of crime to residents, as well as create a greater "sense of community" and put the neighbor back in the neighborhood. Neighborhood Watch also brings the Harlan Police Department and the neighborhood together as a team to reduce criminal activity.
You Can Help Law Enforcement by looking out for Suspicious Activity:
1 A vehicle making slow, repeated trips through the neighborhood.
2 A stranger hanging around parking lots, going door-to-door or jogging in street clothes.
3 Unusual noises
4 Property being removed from a home when the residents aren't there.
Know how to report your suspicions
1 Give the police a physical description, including sex, race and approximate size and age.
2 A direction of travel.
3 License Plate number and state
4 Make, model and color of vehicle.
Your Watch group can target specific problems:
1 Drug Dealers: Have citizen patrols target areas where people buy and sell drugs. Report drug activity - never confront anyone on your own.
2 Vandalism: Painting over graffiti right away. Organizing citizen patrols for areas where vandalism is common.
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Break-ins: Consider installing more lighting around homes and areas of high vandalism. Promote home security systems. Step up efforts to keep an eye on each other's homes.
4 Violence Against Children: Choose "safe houses" on each block where children can go if they are afraid. Have "block parents,” trusted adults at home during the day that can watch out for children on their blocks.
5 Assault: Offer escorts for the elderly or others when they have to walk alone in the neighborhood. Cut back trees and shrubs where attackers could hide. Patrol areas where people feel the most vulnerable. Push for improved street lighting.
6 Family Violence: Neighbors should contact a family violence hotline or local crisis shelter about the best way to report family abuse.
Getting Involved in Neighborhood Watch
Contacting the Neighborhood Action Coordinator is the first step in making a neighborhood a better place to live. Discussing the need for a Neighborhood Watch Program, the expected results, problem areas, and obtaining definite commitments are necessary to outline a successful program.
1 Meet with Your Neighbors: Share concerns about crime. The first task of initiating a Neighborhood Watch Program in your community is to visit your neighbors and inform them of the benefits of a Neighborhood Watch Program and that you would appreciate their attendance at the start-up meeting.
2 Find out the best day of the week and time for a meeting. If a neighborhood group already exist in the area it might be best to set aside part of a regular meeting for neighbors to learn about Neighborhood Watch.
3 After determining the best time and day of the week for a meeting, contact the Harlan Police Department: Call 573-1121 and let them know you plan to form a Neighborhood Watch Group. They can assist in providing crime prevention information, training, Neighborhood Watch signs, and decals for public display.
4 Once a date, time, and location have been established, distribute the meeting invitations. Invite community leaders, all law enforcement agencies having jurisdiction in the area, and members of the neighborhood. Use media coverage to promote your group.
5 Hold the first meeting. Use the First Meeting Agenda as a guide to conduct the initial meeting. Try to keep the meeting to an hour and a half or shorter if possible.
6 Make a Plan: Within one week after the meeting, the Block Captains should have completed, copied, and distribute the Neighborhood Watch Map. Define your territory, set priorities and elect officers. Divide up tasks to avoid one or two people doing all the work and consider giving your group a name.
7 Arrange with the City of Harlan to have a Neighborhood Watch sign installed.
Neighborhood Watches don't replace law enforcement.
Working with the police is important!
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Harlan Police Department, 218 Main Street, Harlan, KY 40831
Phone: (606) 573-1121 Fax: 573-3799 E-mail: harlanpd@harlanonline.net
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