Neighborhood Watch / Block Watch
The crime prevention steps that you and your neighbors take as a group are just as important as the things you do individually. In fact, widespread participation will make your individual efforts even more effective in deterring burglary, theft, vandalism and robbery. These programs, often called Block Watch or Neighborhood Watch, can work equally well in a apartment building or complex as in an area of single-family homes.
To begin a neighborhood action program, contact a crime prevention specialist with the law enforcement agency serving your community. Set a time when he or she can meet with a group of your neighbors to discuss the particular crime problems in your area and to develop a plan of action.
The plan should include an effort to get everyone to mark his or her property and to inform everyone of good home security practices. In addition, it should include watching out for suspicious or unusual activities in general and, specifically, keeping an eye on each other's homes during those times when no one is at home.
You will find it helpful to use a map (see image below). Writing in the addresses and telephone numbers of your neighbors in advance is a good idea in case you need to call in with a specific report or for any kind of emergency.
A concerned and watchful neighborhood is important in preventing crime because most burglars are amateurs and they will be discouraged if they think they might be observed. Information that you or your neighbors give the police about suspicious activities often will result in quicker and more successful efforts to solve crimes which might occur.
The law enforcement agency serving you community can provide information on the activity you should report and may be able to assist you with block organizing.