Neighborhood Watch

Getting Started

1. Form a small planning committee
2. Decide on a date and place for an initial neighborhood meeting
3. Select a Captain and Co-Captain(s)
4. Establish a neighborhood roster and map
5. Recruit as many neighbors as possible using brochures provided by Redmond Police Department (RPD)
6. Identify areas of concern in your neighborhood
7. Consider linking with an existing organization, such as a homeowners association that may provide an existing infrastructure
8. Gather facts about crime in your neighborhood by checking police reports and our online crime map and learning residents' perceptions. Often, opinions are not supported by facts and accurate information can reduce the fear of crime
9. Contact the Redmond Police Department to help organize your meeting and discuss your neighborhood's problems and needs with the group

Neighborhood Watch Captains

(One volunteer suggested per 10 to 20 households)

• Act as a representative or liaison between your neighborhood and RPD. Distribute information provided by RPD to the group, such as crime patterns in the area
• Attend quarterly captain's meeting hosted by RPD
• Greet new neighbors and inform them of the Neighborhood Watch
• Keep updated list of names, addresses, phone numbers, children, and pets
• Schedule periodic (2 to 3 per year) neighborhood meetings and encourage residents to attend. These can, and should be, fun-they don't always have to be "business" meetings.

Neighborhood Watch Members

• Attend neighborhood group meetings
• Be aware of and report suspicious activity immediately
• Communicate concerns, ideas, and insights
• Keep updated contact information provided by your captain
• Know neighbors and recognize vehicles
• Practice recommended security and crime prevention measures
• Read and share appropriate crime information
• Secure homes and personal property
• Stop newspaper and mail delivery when leaving for an extended length of time; notify trusted neighbors when leaving

Police Department

• Attend initial meeting with neighbors to assist in problem solving
• Attend neighborhood meetings as requested
• Coordinate the placement of Neighborhood Watch signs
• Explain concept of Neighborhood Watch to community
• Follow-up on neighborhood concerns
• Maintain records of active Neighborhood Watch groups
• Organize quarterly captain meetings
• Provide basic start-up training and consulting
• Provide information, trends, and states to neighborhoods