What is Neighborhood Watch?

Neighborhood Watch program started about 30 years ago to help reduce burglaries. It is an organized effort by concerned residents to look out for each other's safety, and to help law enforcement officers protect people and their homes against criminals. It shows people how to cooperate with each other, and with police, in a common cause.

Why is it necessary? 

• With a town the size of Greece the police cannot possibly be everywhere at once!
• Demographics for the Town of Greece
• What Does a Neighborhood Watch do?
  • Citizens are taught techniques to reduce the risk of being victimized at home or in public.
  • Citizens are taught how to recognize and report suspicious activities
  • Citizens are taught how to make their homes more secure and properly identify their property.
  • Program allows neighbors to get to know each other and their routines so that out of place activities can be reported and investigated.
  • Group creates a cohesive body of concerned citizens that can address other issues that concern the entire community.

What a Neighborhood Watch is Not

• A vigilante force working outsi    de the normal procedures of law enforcement.
• A program designed for participants to take personal risks to prevent crime.
• Not a 100% guarantee that cr    ime will not occur in your neighborhood.

Benefits of Neighborhood Watch

• Helps to reduce the risk of being a crime victim.
• Individuals are better prepared to respond to suspicious activity.
• Provides greater access to criminal activity information.
• Provides for a Neighborhood Watch sign to be present in your neighborhood.
• Assists in getting to know your neighbors.
• Reduces the fear of crime and making your neighborhood more livable.
• A "quality of life" issue.
• Provides a forum for other issues of concern to a neighborhood to be address (potholes, sidewalk repairs, street lighting, signage)

Crime Prevention

• Training Home safety
• Personal safety 
• Reporting suspicious activity

Crime Statistics

• Allows for review of crime statistics for a defined area.

Block Captains

• Ideally one person for every 10 homes
• Easier management of large neighborhood groups

Phone Trees

• Create a way to get the message out to many people at one time
• Use your phone tree for:
  • Announcing meetings
  • Sharing crime information
  • Alerting neighbors in an emergency
  • Keeping members informed of projects
  • Passing along good news