One of the reasons I love Santa Monica is because of the community strength! Neighbors are persistent about keeping their streets safe and clean.

Part of the Neighborhood Centered Policing strategy implemented by the Santa Monica Police Department includes the "Neighborhood Watch" program.  This is a "partnership" approach in which the goal is for police to work hand in hand with you and your neighbors in an effort to reduce crime and enhance the quality of life in your community.

In order to reach this goal, we want you to become better acquainted with your neighbors while our SMPD Crime Prevention Coordinators show you how to protect yourself, your loved ones, your neighbors, and your property from crime. Statistical data, as well as criminals themselves, confirm that when neighbors organize, the opportunity for a crime to go undetected is drastically reduced.

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The Objectives of Neighborhood Watch are:

 

• To prevent crime by improving security, increasing vigilance, and creating and maintaining a caring community in an effort to reduce the opportunities for crime

• To assist the police in detecting crime by promoting effective two-way communication and the prompt reporting of suspicious and criminal activity

• To reduce undue fear of crime by providing accurate information about crime risks, and by promoting a sense of security and community spirit... particularly amongst the more vulnerable members of the community

• To enhance the police / community partnership by providing effective communications through systems such as the Neighborhood Watch Block Captain Program. The Crime Prevention Unit communicates with Block Captains via e-mail, fax, phone or mail of local crime trends which they may then disseminate to their Neighborhood Watch members.  Block Captains and members help keep the lines of communication open by apprising the police of incidents or quality of life concerns as soon as they occur

How to Get Started

First, concentrate your initial effort by organizing those neighbors with whom you have occasional contact. For example, if your block is mostly single family dwellings, invite neighbors on both sides of the street and adjacent corners. If you live in an apartment or condominium, include everyone in your building and in the adjacent buildings as space permits.

Secondly, talk to your neighbors and tell them you are starting a Neighborhood Watch and that you need their participation. Enlist the help of another willing neighbor to assist you. Introduce yourselves by going safely door-to-door. We suggest the following tips to encourage the neighbors to participate:

• Tell your neighbors about any recent crime activity in the area. Inquire as to which evenings your neighbors are available. Generally, neighborhood meetings are conducted between 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

• Exchange phone numbers. Tell your neighbors that you will notify them when a meeting is scheduled.

• Take this opportunity to get acquainted on a first-name basis. This is vital to the success of your Neighborhood Watch!

• If you need a location for your meeting, ask if neighbors can offer their home to host this or a future meeting. Alternative locations which can commonly accommodate a meeting include local schools, places of worship, and libraries.

Lastly, call the SMPD Community Relations / Crime Prevention Office at (310) 458-8474 to schedule an available date and time for your first meeting. Indicate approximately how many households your Neighborhood Watch will include. Fliers which announce the date, time, location, and topic of your meeting can be made available to you.  We suggest you distribute the fliers in person seven to ten days before the meeting.  Solicit the help of neighbors to pass out the fliers. Two or three days prior to the meeting, remind your neighbors in person or by phone.

The Crime Prevention Coordinator assigned to your area will bring a summary of local crime activity and will assist you in running your first meeting.

Keeping Your Group Active

The continued interest and involvement of your neighbors is crucial to the success of your Neighborhood Watch.  Holding periodic crime prevention meetings is important.  However, try to avoid gathering only to discuss "gloom and doom" topics as these may cause a loss of interest.  Introducing a variety of activities into your Neighborhood Watch can provide a welcome change of pace. You and your neighbors should consider participating in the following social activities:

• Block Parties: Neighbors arrange to have the street blocked off from vehicle traffic to allow for an outdoor party. A "pot luck" meal and games for all set the stage for a festive occasion. Consider inviting the Police and Fire Department to hold a display or give a demonstration. Contact your Crime Prevention Coordinator for assistance with scheduling your block party.

• Neighborhood Potluck: A pleasant change of pace takes place when a neighbor hosts a gathering where residents bring their favorite foods and beverage items for sampling. Provide ample non-alcoholic beverages and be prepared to share your prize recipes.

• Progressive Dinner: A great way to mingle with neighbors is to plan a dinner where neighbors prepare foods from a planned menu. Each menu item from salad to desert is served at a different location for guests to serve themselves.

• Outdoor Picnic: When the weather is moderate, an outdoor or backyard picnic on a weekend is a fun way to get together with your neighbors. Consider inviting a guest speaker to this event as well.

• Pool Party: Residents with pools become most popular if they invite neighbors over for a "dip" especially during a heat spell.

• House Warming: Introduce yourself to new neighbors and invite them to your next gathering. They may volunteer to host a future meeting in their new home.

Arranging these types of activities will foster a sense of cohesiveness among your neighbors. New neighbors will feel welcomed and everyone will get to know each other.

Then, if something suspicious or out of the ordinary occurs, you will be more inclined to recognize it as such and know how to report it to the police. You will also be equipped to notify your neighbors to beware.  By creating such a heightened awareness and a "sense of community", criminals will find it much harder to work unnoticed in your neighborhood.