Starting a Neighborhood Watch
The following steps show how to start a Neighborhood Watch in your
neighborhood. For additional information, see "Block
Captain Duties".
- You or a neighbor decides to host an initial Neighborhood Watch
meeting.
- Whoever is going to host the meeting calls the APD Crime Prevention
Office at 924-3600 to provide their name, address and phone number.
After making the call, the Crime Prevention Office will send a
"starter packet" that will include, among other items,
a form to collect information from your neighbors.
- The host or designee goes up and down the block contacting
the neighbors and recording their name, address and phone number
on the form. (Note: At least 50% of the homes on the block
must be represented at the Neighborhood Watch meeting to qualify
for sign placement.)
- The host then sends the completed list back to the Crime Prevention
Office in the self-addressed envelope provided in the starter
packet.
- After the CP Office receives the list from the interested party,
a Crime Prevention Specialist will contact the host to set up
a date and time for the Neighborhood Watch meeting.
- The CP Specialist will then mail out invitations to each person
whose name appears on the list. Fliers will also be sent
to the host to be given out to the neighbors as a "last
minute" reminder.
- At the meeting, the host provides chairs and simple refreshments.
- The Crime Prevention Specialist will conduct the meeting and
towards the end, facilitate the group's selection of a Block
Captain who will function as the neighborhood leader and will
serve as a contact person for the Albuquerque Police Department.
- The Block Captain is responsible for contacting new neighbors
and for providing updated information to the Crime Prevention
Office (Block Captain replacement, etc).
- The block is now organized and may collectively purchase Neighborhoods
Organized Against Crime (NOAC) Street Signs. The signs may
be ordered (by the Block Captain only) through the Crime Prevention
Office. The Block Captain may also join the Albuquerque
Block Captains Association (ABCA). The block can also officially
participate in the annual National Night Out celebration held
the first Tuesday of August each year.
APD Crime Prevention 924-3600