Neighborhood Watch

What is Neighborhood Watch?

Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program enlisting active participation of residents in cooperation with law enforcement to keep our neighborhoods safe. It involves neighbors getting to know each other and working together in a program of mutual assistance and being trained to recognize and report suspicious activities in their neighborhoods - essentially, neighbors looking out for each other!


Why Neighborhood Watch? What are the Benefits?

Since there can't be a law enforcement officer on every corner, citizen involvement is essential to combat crime. By cooperating with each other and law enforcement, people can help fight crime in their community the most effective way - before it begins! Some benefits include: crime reduction, a greater sense of security and responsibility and building community pride and unity.


How to Implement a Watch Group

The Oregon City Police Department will assist you in developing your group and has created a 3 step approach to help guide you: 

1. Organize, 2. Train, & 3. Assign & Maintain

1. Organize: 

  1. Talk to your neighbors to create and gauge interest. Consider having 1 participant for every 3 households. 
  2. Appoint a Watch Coordinator to communicate group efforts.
  3. Attend your Neighborhood Association meeting to share your idea and learn from others.
  4. Identify geographical boundaries for your group. This can be one block, or several.

2. Train:

  1. Once your group is established, contact OCPD's Watch Coordinator to schedule a brief, introductory training and get connected with your Neighborhood's Officer Liaison. 
  2. OCPD will also assist your group with coordinating signage for your neighborhood. 

3. Assign & Maintain:

  1. Plan regular meetings and communications to keep your group informed.
  2. Create a group communication plan such as a Facebook or Next Door group, or email or phone list. 
  3. Stay in contact with your Neighborhood Association and Officer Liaison to relay concerning or suspicious activities.
  4. Obtain materials to curate your watch group as needed by visiting: 
    1. The National Neighborhood Watch Institute NNWI is dedicated to supplying excellent crime-fighting material. Within the website you can access crime prevention materials, neighborhood watch signs, and neighborhood watch starter kits. NNWI has been deterring crime for over 35 years.
    2. The National Neighborhood Watch  The National Neighborhood Watch is a division of the National Sheriffs' Association and empowers citizens to become active in community efforts through participation in Neighborhood Watch groups while offering a variety of resources to help maintain your group.