Neighbourhood Watch, Block Watch, Town Watch, Building Watch, Crime Watch, whatever the name, its one of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent crime and reduce fear. Neighbourhood Watch fights the isolation that crime both creates and feeds upon. It forges bonds among area residents, helps reduce burglaries and robberies, and improves relations between police and the communities they serve.
WHY NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH?
It works. Throughout the country, dramatic decreases in burglary and related offences are reported by law enforcement professionals in communities with active Watch Programs
Today's transient society produces communities that are less personal. Many families have two working parents and children involved in many activities that keep them away from home. An empty house in a neighbourhood where none of the neighbours know the owner is a primary target for burglary.
Neighbourhood Watch also helps build pride and serves as a springboard for efforts that address other community concerns such as recreation for youth, child care, and affordable housing.
HOW DOES A NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH START?
A motivated individual, a few concerned residents, a community organization, or a law enforcement agency can spearhead the efforts to establish a Watch. Together they can organize a small planning committee of neighbours to discuss needs, the level of interest, and the possible community problems.
WHAT DOES A NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH DO?
A Neighbourhood Watch is neighbours helping neighbours. They are extra eyes and ears for reporting crime and helping neighbours. Members meet their neighbours, learn how to make their homes more secure, watch out for each other and the neighbourhood, and report activity that raises their suspicions to the police.
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR COMPONENTS OF A WATCH PROGRAM?
Community meetings. These should be set up on a regular basis such as bi¬monthly, monthly, or six times a year.
Citizens' or community patrol. A citizens' patrol is made up of volunteers who walk or drive through the community and alert police to crime and questionable activities. Not all Neighbourhood Watches need a citizens' patrol.
Communications. These can be a simple as a weekly flier posted on community announcement boards to a newsletter that updates neighbours on the progress of the program to a neighbourhood electronic bulletin board.
Special events. These are crucial to keep the program going and growing. Host talks or seminars that focus on current issues such as hate or bias-motivated violence, crime in schools, teenage alcohol and other drug abuse or domestic violence.
WHAT ARE MY RESPONISIBILITIES AS A WATCH MEMBER?
Be alert!
Know your neighbours and watch out for each other.
Report suspicious activities and crimes to the police
Learn how you can make yourself and your community safer.
WHAT KIND OF ACTIVITIES SHOULD I BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR AS A WATCH MEMBER?
Someone screaming or shouting for help.
Someone looking in windows of houses and parked cars.
Property being taken out of houses where no one is at home or from closed businesses.
Cars, van, or trucks moving slowly with no apparent destination or without lights.
A stranger sitting in a car or stopping to talk to a child.
Report these incidents to the police. Talk about concerns and problems with your neighbours.
HOW SHOULD I REPORT THESE INCIDENTS?
Call the patrol van 079 894-1211 or the police station 021 559-9400
Give your name and address.
Explain what happened.
Briefly describe the suspect: sex and race, age, height, weight, hair colour, clothing, distinctive characteristics such as a beard, moustache, scars, or accent.
Describe the vehicle if one was involved: colour; make, model, year, license plate, and special features such as stickers.
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