National Neighborhood Watch

A Division of the National Sheriffs' Association

Crime prevention through neighborhood cohesiveness and collaboration.

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Neighborhood Watch Toolkit

In response to the call to involve more Americans in neighborhood safety and security, the National Neighborhood Watch has produced the its NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH TOOLKIT. The TOOLKIT provides numerous resources for law enforcement and community members working with neighborhood watch groups whether starting, revitalizing, or enhancing existing programs.

The TOOLKIT contains information for both law enforcement liaisons and neighborhood watch leaders, as self-paced learning modules (6 in total), and neighborhood watch groups and their members, as community presentations (9 in total).  The self-paced learning modules are intended to prepare law enforcement liaisons and neighborhood watch leaders to teach the community presentations to neighborhood watch groups and members. 

The TOOLKIT also includes a foundational module on Neighborhood Watch Basics for law enforcement liaisons, neighborhood watch leaders, and citizens/members, and a module specifically on using the TOOLKIT intended for law enforcement liaisons and neighborhood watch leaders. 

Additionally, the TOOLKIT contains various tools that supplement the modules and presentations, including worksheets, forms, checklists, and flipbooks. Finally, there are road maps for both law enforcement liaisons and neighborhood watch groups. These road maps are simplified infographics with companion brochures/booklets intended to provide step-by-step instructions to develop, enhance, or expand neighborhood watch programs.

TOPICS ADDRESSED IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH TOOLKIT:

  • Neighborhood Watch Basics
  • Volunteer Management
  • Strategic Planning
  • Partnerships
  • Planning and Conducting Effective Meetings
  • Target Hardening
  • Reporting Suspicious Activities
  • Observation Skills

TOOLKIT IS SEPARATED IN FOUR MODULES:

  • Foundation
    Includes Neighborhood Watch Basics presentation and all tools and templates discussed in Community Presentations and Self-Paced Learning Modules
  • Community Presentations
    For neighborhood watch members and groups
  • Self-Paced Learning Modules
    Geared towards law enforcement liaisons or neighborhood watch leaders; prepares them to give Community Presentations
  • Neighborhood Watch Training
    Gives overview on the Toolkit and how to use it