Step One:

Define your neighborhood geographically.  Start small – 20 to 25 homes - so you and your neighbors can get to know everyone. 

Step Two:

Talk to your neighbors.  Do they know that a Neighborhood Watch program is fun?  What are their issues?  What nights are they available for a meeting?

Step Three:

Call the local Police/Sheriff's Crime Prevention Unit and schedule a mutually agreeable date for the first meeting.  Tell the Police/Sheriff representative about any issue or concern that may be brought up at the meeting.

Step Four:

Ask neighbors to be Co-Captains (one neighbor per 10 homes).

Step Five:

Start a committee with interested neighbors to plan the first meeting.  Assign someone to: market/advertise the meeting, make/buy food, meeting logistics (name tags, copy of sign-in sheet, pens).  Focus on the “3 F’s” which are Food, Fun and Free things.

Step Six:

Advertise the meeting to your neighbors!  Invite ALL your neighbors (in your defined geographical area).  Talk to everyone when you get the opportunity.  Deliver flyers to each home.  Involve the children of your community by asking them to help by delivering the flyers.

Step Seven:

Call to confirm your Police/Sheriff representative 48 hours prior to the meeting.

Step Eight:

Set up a welcome table before the meeting begins with the sign-in sheet, name tags, and any applicable material provided by Police/Sheriff Crime Prevention Unit.

Step Nine:

Introduce the Police/Sheriff representative that will present on Neighborhood Watch.  The presentation will last approximately 45 minutes followed by 10 minutes of questions.  After the meeting, schedule a follow-up meeting with your group (check with your Police/Sheriff Crime Prevention Unit to see if they require a representative to attend follow-up meetings).  Thank everyone who attended and acknowledge those who helped or neighborhood businesses who donated items.  Invite neighbors to remain and get to know each other.

Step Ten:

Thank those who helped after the meeting and get their help to work on the next.  Nothing says thank you like a hand written note!