Neighborhood Watch

• Video (Windows Media)
• How to Join or Start a Neighborhood Watch
• Local Police

The New Jersey State Police, Office of Emergency Management, in cooperation with the NJ State Citizen Corps Council have introduced a new initiative - Neighborhood Watch – New Jersey. The Program builds upon the basic concept of crime prevention that has been the mainstay of Neighborhood Watch, and adds new information focusing on Disaster Preparedness and Terrorism Awareness. The Program is designed to strengthen and re-vitalize existing Neighborhood Watch groups and to create new ones under the USAonWatch Citizen Corps Program (www.usaonwatch.org) in cooperation with local law enforcement agencies.

Neighborhood Watch has long been recognized as one of the oldest and best known crime prevention programs in history. The massive effort to reduce residential crime has empowered and encouraged citizens to take ownership of their communities by partnering with their law enforcement agencies to reduce various types of "neighborhood crime." In doing so, law enforcement has found that communities in which citizens have observed and reported suspicious activity have enjoyed lower crime rates.

The events of September 11, 2001 have added a new challenge to crime prevention: helping local residents become a critical element in the detection, prevention, and disruption of terrorism. By bringing together local officials, law enforcement, and residents for the protection of the community, Neighborhood Watch offers an excellent program for promoting citizen awareness and preparedness in the war against terrorism.

Anyone can participate in a Neighborhood Watch. Members of local communities and representatives from businesses, government agencies, and a variety of organizations can participate in a Neighborhood Watch once they have established a partnership with their local law enforcement agency. Watch groups are not vigilantes. They are the extra “eyes and ears” for reporting crime and helping neighbors.

For NJ Neighborhood Watch information:
Contact NJN Audience Services at answers@njn.org or Sgt. Darrick Griffin at 609-882-2000, ext. 2230