What is Neighborhood Watch?
Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and best-known crime prevention concepts in North America. In the late 1960s, an increase in crime heightened the need for a crime prevention initiative focused on residential areas and involving local citizens. The National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) responded, creating the National Neighborhood Watch Program in 1972 to assist citizens and law enforcement.
In 2002, the NSA in partnership with USA Freedom Corps, Citizen Corps and the U.S. Department of Justice launched USAonWatch®, the face of the revitalized National Neighborhood Watch initiative, which represents the expanded role of watch programs beyond their traditional crime prevention role to help neighborhoods focus on disaster preparedness, emergency response and so much more.
Montford residents and volunteers are pleased to announce the launching of our own neighborhood watch. (Fall, 2009)
Our first meeting
Our first, organizational meeting was held on September 28, 7 pm, at the Montford
Community Center. About 20 people attended and, after a brief round of introductions,
Pam gave an overview of Neighborhood Watch. Mary then summarized the usual
elements of a Neighborhood
Watch. We agreed that both an email list and phone tree would be required since
some of our neighbors don't use email. We discussed keeping a map online that
would be coded to match up block captains with streets.
About eleven people signed up as our first block captains
and have been added to the email list. Katie, Pam, and Mary will meet with
each block captain to "walk their block" and determine which houses they will
cover. Katie said that the police department will cohost a Neighborhood Watch
Kickoff event.
General information
Montford Neighborhood Watch Family Information Form - Online form for joining your household.
Montford Neighborhood Watch Map - Map of areas covered thus far.
Important contact information
Asheville Police Department, 828-259-5970
Asheville Police Liaison, Kathleen Beane, 828-552-9423 ()
Mary Trauner, 828-505-0980 ()
Pam Brown, 828-713-9440 ()
Block Captain Resources
Block Captain mailing list ()
Welcome Letter (pdf, doc) (This can be printed and left, with your contact information, at the houses in your block.)
Printed family information sheet (This can be printed and left along with the welcome letter.)
Lists and reports
Related Links
Asheville Police Department includes links to Crime Statistics and Police Blotter.
USA On Watch
Neighborhood Watch Manual
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