Marlboro Township Neighborhood Watch

1
Marlboro Township Neighborhood Watch

• P.O. Bernadette Peter

2
Why Have a Neighborhood Watch?

• Crime exists in every community.
• The police can not be everywhere, and you know
  your neighborhood better than anyone.
• Most of the people in your community will be
  thankful, appreciative and discover a new sense
  of safety and ease.

3
Setting Up a Neighborhood Watch

• See if there is interest in a Watch program in
  your community.
• A successful Watch program requires cooperation
  from all of a neighborhoods members.
• If you have a Home Owners Association, bring your
  idea to them, along with a good representation of
  the people who want to be involved.

4

5
Setting Up a Neighborhood Watch

• Once you have determined that a Watch program is
  right for you, contact your local Police
  Department.
• They will help you organize, train and implement
  your Watch program.

6
Setting Up a Neighborhood Watch

• The initial set-up and organization of the Watch
  program includes several factors.
• Picking your team/block leaders.
• Dividing the neighborhood into manageable
  sections.
• Getting volunteers for patrol.

7
Implementing Your Watch
8
Implementing Your Watch

• You need to determine your meeting space, it
  should be at a convenient location for all
  members, and be able to accommodate everyone
  comfortably.
• Make sure that the room is conducive to the
  business you are there to conduct.
• Keep distractions to a minimum (There is time
  to catch up and talk later!)

9
Implementing Your Watch

• You need to manage and keep control of your
  meeting.
• You should have a well planned and thought out
  list of objectives for the meeting.
• Concentrate on those items, letting new ideas be
  discussed at the end. You can then research
  those ideas for the next meeting.

10
Implementing Your Watch

• Make a meeting check list.
• Be sure to have enough materials for everyone.
  i.e. handouts, name tags and dont forget
  refreshments!
• Make use of the technology available to you. Use
  your computer to more accurately divide the
  neighborhood in a way that is clear for everyone.
  

11
Implementing Your Watch
12
The Four Cs

• Their are four Cs that help ensure the success
  of your Watch.
• Communication----Share thoughts, ideas,
  information and feelings.
• Coordination----Keep each other informed of
  situations and times.
• Cooperation----Everyone should help each other
  with tasks or objectives.
• Collaboration----Based on sharing power.

13
Teamwork

• At certain times and in certain situations,
  conflicts might arise in the group.
• This is normal once members become more
  comfortable with each other.
• People feel more at ease to voice their opinions
  and agendas.
• Remind all members to respect the feelings of
  others!

14
Teamwork

• It is important to encourage consistency, while
  providing opportunities for members to learn.
• Reward your volunteers who show persistence and
  dedication.

15
Phone Tree
16
Phone Tree

• A Phone Tree is mostly all those involved with
  the Neighborhood Watch Program.  You will want to
  have Your Police Department contact number on
  there and the Fire and Emergency numbers as well
  as the Hospital Emergency numbers.

17
Safe House

• Include on the Phone List SAFE HOUSES names and
  numbers and addresses.  A SAFE HOUSE is someone's
  house that children and Adults can go to in case
  of an emergency.  (Used to have a red hand)
• If for some reason children are home early and
  parent's cannot be notified or some other
  emergency then they can go to that house. 
• It is this purpose also that the children have
  some place to go to until the parent's are
  notified and some arrangements are made. (Ex.
  Fire)

18
Information Gathering

• There is lots of information to be gathered to
  make your neighborhood safe and secure.  Make a
  database of this, put it on your computer and on
  everyones who is involved in the Neighborhood
  Watch Program, or make copies accessible.

19
Information Gathering

• The list should include these things and
  pictures
• House or Lot Number and Address (if it is being
  Rented out you will want the renters
  information.  Get them involved!  Most renter's
  don't think that they need to go by the rules of
  the neighborhood because they are renting the
  house.  This is so NOT True.  They live there
  they need to accept responsibility and follow the
  rules for the neighborhood.

20
Information Gathering

• Name of Head of Household
• Family Members -names, ages and birth dates. 
  Pictures would be a great asset for this.
• Car make, model, and registration numbers.  Again
  pictures would work best with this.
• Any pets the family may have, names and
  pictures. 
• Any other pertinent information such as people
  who come in the neighborhood daily or on a
  regular basis. (visitors)

21
Information Gathering

• These things are not to be used for personal
  reasons.  They are to be used if there is a
  strange car in someone's driveway the Team Leader
  or Block person can call the police to come out
  and check it out.

22
Development's with Security
23
Development's with Security

• Developments or communities with private
  security are at an advantage for Watch programs.
• While in the initial planning for your Watch
  Program, discuss your ideas with security.
• Ask them for their input. See what areas in your
  neighborhood have the most problems, or areas
  where they just need help.

24
Development's with Security

• Other advantages to private security is the fact
  that if something does happen, they will have a
  faster response time than your local police due
  to the fact that they are on scene.
• They also know your neighborhood and will be able
  to help determine if a person or car or anything
  else that seems out of place to you is supposed
  to be there.

25
Clubhouse

• You are at an advantage if you have a clubhouse
  or meeting facility in your neighborhood.
• Ask the management if they object to you using
  the space as your Watch headquarters, and get
  them involved with your program.

26
Top Thing To Watch For

• Neighborhood Watch-A program of systematic local
  vigilance by residents of a neighborhood to
  discourage crime, esp. burglary.
• Look for things that seem out of place and /or
  suspicious to you.
• Reference the data you and your Watch team have
  accumulated and cross reference vehicles and
  people who seem out of place.
• If something or someone stands out to you make a
  note for the future. If something does occur,
  you now have descriptive information for your
  local police.

27
Conclusion

• You have the power to work with your police
  department and your peers to make your
  neighborhood a safer place!!!!

28
Thank You

• If you would like to start a Neighborhood Watch
  Program please contact Police Officer Bernadette
  Peter 097 at the Marlboro Township Police
  Department 732-536-0100.