Crime Prevention is everyone's business and improves the quality of life for every community and its residents. It requires cooperation by all elements of a community; as well as education, continual testing and improvement.

Why Do Residents Mobilize?

• To get something done about an immediate problem
• To problem solve on future goals
• To gather resources for community needs
• To improve the quality of life in their community

A Neighborhood Watch is

• Eyes and ears of law enforcement
• Neighbors look out for each other and report suspicious activities to law enforcement
• With training and guidance from law enforcement, a Neighborhood Watch can be transformed from a group of individuals into a committed team, working on crime and safety issues in the neighborhood and community

A Neighborhood Watch Is NOT

• A vigilante group
• Citizens pursuing criminals
• Becoming physically involved in an incident
• Taking the law into your own hands

Eye and Ear Observation

• Be aware of your surroundings and the people around you each day
• Help out neighbors by observing unusual activity around their homes
• If you see something suspicious, say something to law enforcement immediately
• Describe the event at accurately as possible

Neighborhood Watch Captain

• Distribute information to members
• Recruit new members
• Provide up-to-date crime prevention information to watch
• Update phone tree
• Update member list
• Develop meeting agendas
• Delegates watch duties among members

Neighborhood Watch Members

• Team problem solve with other members
• Report suspicious activity in the area
• Practice personal safety and security at home and work
• Creatively contribute to the watch with individual strengths
• Recruit new members
• Support the watch captain

 For more information, contact City of Delaware Police Department Community Relations Officer Rita Mendel, 740-203-1132.