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 your local Police Department to determine who your neighborhood’s beat officer is. Schedule a mutually agreeable date with the assigned officer for the first meeting. Tell your local beat officer 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 Seven: Call to confirm your local beat officer 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 local Beat Officer.

Step Nine: Introduce the local beat officer that will present on Neighborhood Watch and Crime Prevention issues. The presentation will last approximately 15-20 minutes followed by 10 minutes of questions. After the meeting, schedule a follow-up meeting with your group (check with your local Beat Officer to see if they are available 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!