Guest Author - Robin Rounds Whittemore

In your neighborhood, do you seem to have a problem with people loitering in a certain area? Do cars drive by slowly, as if the people inside are searching for something, and not just looking for an address? Are there strangers stopping to talk to kids? Has there been a rash of neighborhood pets disappearing? Do some neighbors seem to be excessively loud or just active at odd times of the night?

Crime can happen anywhere, and to anyone. People of a community banding together can do a lot to assist law enforcement officials in helping to prevent crime. You do not have to wait for a crime to happen to start a crime watch.

A crime watch is a wonderful way to unite a group of people with commonalities, and make their area of life a little safer. It is not just people in a housing complex that can start a crime watch. Crime watches can be started in schools, marinas, mobile home parks, apartment complexes, businesses, and anywhere else that residents feel the need to have one.

Anyone that is willing to participate should be allowed to do so. All people who make up the area should have a chance to participate. This means men, women and children of all ages. Anyone who can see, hear, shout, walk, and talk should be encouraged to participate. It doesn’t matter if they are home bound, wheelchair bound, or very active. If they are in the area being served, they have a right to be part of the team. Don’t discount anyone.

The very first thing to do is actually decide to start a group watch. Next, contact your local law enforcement officials. Advise them what you want to do and they will assist you the rest of the way. You will need to recruit members. The involvement of your surrounding neighbors will be very instrumental in keeping a crime watch going.

Calling a meeting of everyone involved would be one of the first things to organize. It will also let you know how many people are interested in helping. Usually, a law enforcement officer will come to the meetings and talk about what you need to know in order to make your crime watch successful.

You have no doubt passed by a neighborhood and seen crime watch signs. In many areas, if not, all, crime watch signs are free. They are to be posted at the entrances of the area being watched over.

You can start now by just noticing what is going on in your neighborhood.
When you look at a vehicle, do you notice what color, make, and model it is? Is it a car, van, truck, motorcycle, etc? Does it have any unusual markings such as dents, bumper stickers, a company logo, or painted over logo? If it is a car, does it have two doors or four? Is there by any chance a vanity plate? Can you remember the whole license plate, or part of it?

If you see a stranger or strangers loitering in the area, do your best to get a good description. How tall are they? What color hair do they have? Is there any facial hair? What are they wearing? Do you see any tattoos, scars or any noticeable jewelry? Does the stranger walk with a limp?

Note: A “stranger” does not always have to mean a grown man.

Start a neighborhood cleanup if it needs it. Remove any abandoned cars from the front of properties. Even if they are on the side of the road, they can get familiar to the eye, and can be used as hiding places.

Keep lawns mowed, and otherwise free of debris. If a crime is committed; someone might be able to spot a clue easier in a manicured lawn, than one that is overgrown. Debris could be used to smash a window for entry.

This article by no means entails everything needed for a crime watch. It is a start,and I hope you have heard the call for action. It is not hard to do, with everyone's cooperation, but it does take some time in the form of paying attention. Don’t wait for something to happen to start a crime watch.