Starting a Neighborhood Watch

Starting A Neighborhood Watch

The following steps show how to start a Neighborhood Watch in your neighborhood. For additional information, see Block Captain Duties.

1. You or a neighbor decides to host an initial Neighborhood Watch meeting.
2. Whoever is going to host the meeting calls the APD Crime Prevention Office at 505-768-2006 to provide their name, address and phone number. After making the call, the Crime Prevention Office will send a "starter packet" that will include, among other items, a form to collect information from your neighbors.
3. The host or designee goes up and down the block contacting the neighbors and recording their name, address and phone number on the form.
4. The host then sends the completed list back to the Crime Prevention Office in the self-addressed envelope provided in the starter packet.
5. After the CP Office receives the list from the interested party, a Crime Prevention Specialist will contact the host to set up a date and time for the Neighborhood Watch meeting.
6. The CP Specialist will then mail out invitations to each person whose name appears on the list. Fliers will also be sent to the host to be given out to the neighbors as a "last minute" reminder.
7. At the meeting, the host provides chairs and simple refreshments.
8. The Crime Prevention Specialist will conduct the meeting and towards the end, facilitate the group's selection of a Block Captain who will function as the neighborhood leader and will serve as a contact person for the Albuquerque Police Department.
9. The Block Captain is responsible for contacting new neighbors and for providing updated information to the Crime Prevention Office (Block Captain replacement, etc).
10. The block is now organized and may collectively purchase Neighborhoods Organized Against Crime (NOAC) Street Signs. The signs may be ordered (by the Block Captain only) through the Crime Prevention Office. The block can also officially participate in the annual National Night Out celebration held the first Tuesday of August each year.

APD Crime Prevention 505-768-2006