Neighborhood Watch

Neighborhood Watch

National Neighborhood Watch works to provide information, training and resources to citizens and law enforcement agencies throughout the country. In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, Neighborhood Watch programs have expanded beyond their traditional crime prevention role to help neighborhoods focus on disaster preparedness, emergency response and terrorism awareness. National Neighborhood Watch is administered by the National Sheriffs' Association in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, the U.S. Department of Justice, Neighborhood Watch works in partnership with Citizen Corps and its five corps programs.

What is the National Neighborhood Watch Program?

National Neighborhood Watch was created to unite law enforcement agencies, private organizations, and individual citizens in a massive effort to reduce residential crime.

How do I start a Neighborhood Watch?

To begin a NW, form a small planning committee of neighbors to discuss the needs of your community, gage the level of interest and potential problems. Contact your local police department or sheriff's office, and notify them of your interest to start a NW. A crime prevention officer will be assigned and will attend your first meeting. 

How do I join a Neighborhood Watch in my community?

Search the National NW database to find your local law enforcement agency, and call to find the Neighborhood Watch in your neighborhood. Simply attend a meeting and sign up to volunteer. If there is not Neighborhood Watch in your neighborhood, talk with your local law enforcement agency about starting a new NW. 

The National Sheriffs' Association,  now in its sixty-fifth year of serving law enforcement and other criminal justice professionals of the nation, is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising the level of professionalism among those in the criminal justice field. Through the years, NSA has been involved in numerous programs to enable sheriffs, their deputies, chiefs of police, and others in the field of criminal justice to perform their jobs in the best possible manner and to better serve the people of their cities, counties or jurisdictions. 

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