Police Department

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Neighborhood Watch Program

What is Neighborhood Watch?

Neighborhood Watch is a group of citizens organized with the goal of taking an active role in reducing crime in their community by working with law enforcement. Citizens are the eyes and ears of their community, which in turn can help the police in putting a stop to problems before they become a threat to an entire neighborhood. Neighborhood Watch groups are asked to be alert, observant, caring and willing to report suspicious activity or crimes immediately to the police.

Neighborhood Watch is NOT:

• A citizen vigilante group.
• A guarantee that crime will not occur in your neighborhood.
• A program that encourages personal risks to deter crime.

How Can I Start One in My Neighborhood?

Contact the Community Resource Officer (CRO) Christopher O'Toole at (203) 264-5912 or c.otoole@southbury-ct.gov. This program is highly successful in showing residents they are not powerless against crime.

Specifics of The Program:

• A crime prevention program where neighbors look out for each other.
• A block captain is appointed to be the primary contact with the Police Department, maintain records of the participants, and deliver newsletters and other crime related information.
• Neighbors are encouraged to get to know each other and their routines so they will recognize any out-of-place activity.
• The program provides participants with ways to reduce the risk of being victimized at home, in public places or while in their vehicle.
• The program informs participants on the importance of recognizing suspicious activities and sounds and how to properly report them.
• The program informs neighbors how to make their homes more secure and how to properly identify their property through Operation Identification.
• A Neighborhood Watch block is a body of concerned and involved neighbors addressing issues that concern the entire community.