subject: Home Security Includes the Involvement of Community Groups and Individuals [print this page] Home Security Includes the Involvement of Community Groups and Individuals
When creating a neighborhood watch program, you will need to garner the participation and involvement of many other groups, organizations, and community leaders. It is not limited to the handful of residents in your neighborhood who are with you leading the charge. You cannot do it alone. That is why getting the support you need is so important. The following are a few tips in who to contact and how to go about it.
Consider the neighborhood watch program you are creating as a two-part organization. First, the program will likely involve some sort of patrol and street monitoring. This may include patrol cars and a wide variety of other features common in watch programs. Speak with your local police force about the options available to your neighborhood. Second, the program will become a community organization with the central goal of encouraging teamwork.
At the core of the program is creating a sense of community that will translate into safer streets and higher levels of home security for everyone involved. It moves beyond merely installing more home alarm systems and exterior lights on the homes. A neighborhood watch program is about deterring criminals through the visible effort of all neighbors coming together to improve the quality of life. In order to create a program that will survive long term, you need to involve many different groups and individuals.
First, you need the sheriff or police chief's endorsement in order to give your program credibility. This should be the first group you contact. They will provide you with all sorts of useful information such as crime patterns, home security tips, and other crime prevention steps.
Second, contact other neighborhood watch programs in your community in order to get priceless tips and receive needed mentoring. If another group is established and successful, then you will be wise to employ their wisdom in creating your own watch program.
Third, get in touch with the already existing tenants' association, citizens' association, or housing authorities that are relevant for your neighborhood. They are interested parties that may legally have rights to know the actions and organization of your program. They will also be able to offer you key information about the demographics in your neighborhood that will help you address home security and safety issues more effectively.
Fourth, get as many local businesses and companies involved as possible. Start with those represented by the current residents but look beyond them. You do not want to lose business support if and when those neighbors move. The support of business is important for financial reasons. They can offer printing services, meetings places, and a whole host of other needs you may encounter when organizing future community events.
Lastly, get the media involved. Let the newspapers and television stations know what you are doing. This may be broadcasted to the community. The more information that is spread to your city the more your crime deterring purposes are benefitted.
As you can see, home security not only involves more than a home alarm, but also requires many separate groups, organizations, and individuals. If your neighborhood is creating a neighborhood watch program, be sure to contact these interested parties early in the process and get the needed assistance they can offer.
