National Neighborhood Watch

A Division of the National Sheriffs' Association

Crime prevention through neighborhood cohesiveness and collaboration.

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Register a Watch

Please log in to create a new Neighborhood Watch Group. If you do not yet have an account, you may register for one. Please email nw@sheriffs.org for information on how to register.

Please log in to create or manage Watch Groups

Register to receive the newsletter that contains stories and information on what others are doing in their Groups.

Start A Watch Group in 5 Easy Steps

  1. Recruit and Organize as many neighbors as possible

    It is wonderful that you are taking the steps to start a Neighborhood Watch group in your neighborhood. The first step is talking to your fellow neighbors about starting a group.

  2. Contact your local law enforcement agency and schedule a meeting

    The next step is contacting your local law enforcement agency. Invite them to meet with your group at a time and place convenient for your Watch Group. It is essential for your group to work in collaboration with law enforcement because Neighborhood Watch is a cooperative effort.

  3. Discuss community concerns and develop an action plan

    If law enforcement is unavailable to come to the first meeting you might want to have a meeting to discuss the concerns and issues in the neighborhood. Your group should create a plan on how to work towards lessening the impact of the top 3 concerns of neighbors.

    There are wonderful resources that you can use to guide you. Become a National Neighborhood Watch Member to gain access. Click here to join today. 

  4. Create a communication plan

    It is important to decide what type of communication will work for your watch group - meetings or social media or both. Our publication on Advances in Technology Take Watch Groups to the Next Level will help you to understand what resources are out there.

  5. Take Action: Hold Meetings and Events

    Neighborhood Watch Toolkit has a number of wonderful training topics and meeting ideas that can be useful to your group.

What are some of the benefits of starting a Watch Group?
  • Partnerships with Law Enforcement and your Neighbors
  • Reduction in Crime
  • A More Secure and Better Prepared Hometown
  • A More United Community
  • Improved Communications

NOTE: due to the large number of registered neighborhood watch groups across the country, “policing” and investigating them on the national level is not something we have the resources/capability to routinely do.