Neighborhood alert is one of the most effective crime prevention programs in communities. The program involves citizens patrolling their neighborhoods and reporting suspicious activities to law enforcement, providing an extra set of eyes and ears that help deter crime. It also helps build community spirit, camaraderie with neighbors and stronger relationships with law enforcement.
National Neighborhood Watch (formerly USAonWatch) stresses that the role of a watch member is to serve as an extra set of eyes and ears and to report their observations to their local law enforcement. The organization does not advocate any form of vigilante actions by residents, who are not trained to take matters into their own hands. Watch members should only act as additional “eyes and ears” for their local law enforcement and never attempt to alter or change a criminal’s behavior or motivation.
Some neighborhood watch groups provide window decals to mark their property so it is easier for authorities to identify and recover stolen items. Others encourage residents to make their homes more secure by installing locks, lighting and landscaping, or working with landlords and building managers on best practices for admitting visitors and service workers.
Some neighborhoods use a dedicated community tip line or an app to share security concerns. These apps are designed to improve communication and collaboration amongst neighbors, and provide a more efficient way for residents of apartment complexes, gated communities, HOAs, business campuses or other residential communities to alert their neighbors, local authorities and management about incidents and suspicious activity in real time.