Neighborhood Watch Program

Neighborhood Watch is designed to enable the police and the community to work together in order to make neighborhoods more crime resistant. Members learn how to make their homes and neighborhoods more secure, watch out for each other, and report illegal or suspicious activities to the police.

The goal of Neighborhood Watch is to increase community awareness and concern among neighbors in order to reduce crime. The program allows the concerns of the neighborhood to be presented to the police department. Neighbors help each other by watching each other’s homes and reporting suspicious persons and activities. It also trains citizens in personal security strategies and serves as a social organization for the community.

Objectives

Our officers can’t be “everywhere, all of the time,” so we need our citizens to be involved by working with one another and with the police by serving as the “eyes and ears” for their neighborhood.

We can increase safety and reduce crime by forming a partnership between neighborhoods and the police department.

Benefits

Neighborhood Watch provides the opportunity to meet and get to know fellow neighbors. Keeping an eye on one another’s homes and reporting suspicious activities will create an awareness of what is going on in the neighborhood. It will also provide a sense of security.

Neighborhood Watch provides an opportunity to meet and work with representatives and officers from the O’Fallon Police Department. That benefit will provide access to criminal activity reports, and educational materials.

Members will learn to recognize and report suspicious circumstance which will help reduce burglaries and other crimes.

Staying Active

Don’t let the first meeting be the last!

Unfortunately, once an original crime concern gets resolved, the enthusiasm for Neighborhood Watch starts to dissipate. It is up to the neighborhood to maintain their watch. Here are some helpful ideas:

• Organize regular meetings
• Host a block party or social event
• Discuss ways to improve your neighborhood
• Discuss emergency preparedness

How to get started!

A watch group can be started by any interested group of people around any block, subdivision, apartments, parks, etc.

• First Step: Talk to your neighbors about problems or issues happening in your neighborhood. Neighborhood involvement is essential for success!
• Second Step Fill out the registration form and submit it to Officer Scott Young at syoung@ofallonmo.gov. After review, a folder of Neighborhood Watch information will be sent out for you and your neighbors to review.
• Third Step: If the neighborhood is still interested after reviewing the information, plan to hold an initial meeting to establish purpose and commitment to a neighborhood watch. Make sure to invite as many neighbors as possible.
• Fourth Step: Select volunteers that are organized and motivated to lead the watch group. Contact our Neighborhood Watch Officer, Officer Scott Young at syoung@ofallonmo.gov or 636-379-5711, if you have any questions.

Neighborhood Watch Registration Form (PDF)

Never be afraid to call the police if something or someone appears to be suspicious! If it is NOT an emergency situation, be sure to call our non-emergency line at: 636-240-3200.