Street / Neighbourhood Watch Programme...
read more - 11th
December 2009 Why would anyone wish to establish a
neighbourhood watch?...read more-
2007?
Street / Neighbourhood
Watch Programme - 11th
December 2009
You are reading this because you may be interested in setting up a street watch in your road or group of roads. Here is a breakdown of the various aspects you need to know and ideas to help you get it going and most importantly, keep it going.
Often, Street Watches get set up with everybody happily involved because there is a specific need or threat that has to be addressed. The problem with a lot of them is that over time (sometimes only a month or so) interest fades and meetings only have one or two households attending. If the community is serious about crime, it is only in their interests to keep this sort of initiative going and not leave it up to the one or two faithful.
Objective
Nice motto: “A problem shared is a problem halved.”
The purpose, and this involves the essential definition of a Community, is to organise a group of like minded community members living or working in the same local area with a view to interact and communicate with all role players (each other, SAPS, Metro, businesses, council) and therefore assist in reducing or completely preventing crime in their area. Further, the street/neighbourhood watch becomes open to tips and ideas on how to prevent crime and moreover to communicate these ideals to friends, family and neighbours.
The common cause resulting from the creation of a street/ neighbourhood watch will precipitate a firm partnership and good relations with the SAPS as well as a feeling of participation in the crime combating process as well as the upliftment in community morale.
Ultimately, Community Policing is a partnership in policing. A partnership meaning 50/50 in activity, awareness, dedication and very importantly, responsibility.
To believe that the Police are solely responsible for 100% of crime fighting is completely unreal. We, the SAPS, need the community to play their part. A dedicated Street Watch is definitely a good step in the right direction.
The effective management of a street/ neighbourhood watch will thus reduce the fear of crime by education, empowerment and bringing together community members who want to be involved. It may sound harsh, but it is not fair to complain about crime levels in a specific area if the community themselves are complacent and do not do their share in taking responsibility and ownership of the area.
This includes doing the basics such as stepping up one’s level of awareness, taking responsibility to report suspicious activity and also doing essential things like closing and locking front doors and educating children and domestic workers about general safety precautions.
Resources within that community can be effectively utilised by pulling together people living or working there who possess skills such as doctors, nurses, councillors, social workers, politicians, lawyers and policemen. Support to tradesmen such as electricians, plumbers, tree fellers etc, who live in the area will not only bilaterally help the community but will help build community spirit and trust. If one of your street watch members runs for example a garden service, by using them, you will not have the fear that they are “strangers” and may bring crime into the area, as they themselves have a vested interest in the community they serve.
Strategy
It is essential to maintain open channels of communication with all role players: members, SAPS; Metro; Councillors, etc. Invite the local Police to meetings. Ask them to present crime prevention tips or reports on criminal activity in the area. It is a prime opportunity to hear and share information about descriptions of suspicious vehicles or persons that are being sought in that area..
By sharing this information with all members of the watch, you lessen fear and paranoia and have a view to empower, be more observant, and be more aware of crime trends and modus operandi of criminals.
Implementation
To start: One or more community members take the initiative and suggest either personally or via other communications to neighbours the idea and intent of setting up a street/neighbourhood watch.
Outline to them the objectives and benefits.
Benefits:
Better relationships between neighbours/community members.
Better relationships with SAPS and Metro.
A sense of participation in reducing crime.
An increase in community spirit.
A reduction of fear and ignorance of crime, its causes and trends.
A sense of ownership of the area.
Steps in implementing the watch. (It’s actually a cycle...)
1. Identify needs and crime problem in the area concerned. (Hijacking, theft, etc.)
2. Identify current role players. (SAPS, security companies, reservist living in the street.)
3. Look at the physical environment. (Roads, foot paths, rivers, bush, street lighting, etc.)
4. Prioritise goals. Short/ long term. Most/ least important.
5. Who can help within the said community? (Garden service, Metro councillor, etc.)
6. Approach these role players. Suggest solutions and reciprocate help given.
7. Activate. Get the support, develop and commit to a plan of action.
8. Look at resources. Manage and maintain them. (Guard huts, contacts at Metro electricity.)
9. Monitor and manage progress. Is there improvement? Any needs or challenges arisen?
Poor management and commitment will result in the structure collapsing.
10. Hold regular meetings with everyone and invite any of the role players to give input or feedback as necessary.
11. Canvass to non members. When you speak to them, talk about successes the watch has had and why their participation is needed.
10. Go back to step 1.
Approach the SAPS/ Community Policing Forum executive with:
- Physical boundaries of the area. Roads or rivers. Supply road names, names of those involved and relevant telephone numbers.
- Identify needs in the area concerned that are not currently being addressed.
- Outline willingness to take and share responsibility for the well being and reduction of crime in the area.
- State willingness to share, receive support and implement advice and exchange information.
- State what activities will be performed to what goal.
Activities Residential
- Clearing excess bush around foot paths, verges, rivers and driveways.
- Fencing off stretches of rivers between properties.
- Form a roster for foot or vehicle patrols depending on size and geography of the area in terms with crime stats and availability of participants.
- Attend/ present courses. A nurse in the road could give a CPR course.
- Youth encouraged to take responsibility and get involved by foot patrols, house sitting vacant houses, feeding pets, babysitting or supervising homework.
- Self enforcement of by-laws. Be conscientious in terms of noise, neatness of verges, bush clearing, cleaning up graffiti and litter. Get hold of Metro for advice or active participation. This increases a general pride in the area.
- Identify and erect signage of “Safe Houses” in the area for children in distress.
- Welcome new residents. Implement “know your neighbour”. Do they have special needs such as elderly, infirm or medical conditions. Help can be one door away.
- Look at implementing systems such as “SMS Naybers” where one SMS sent can be received by all in that group. Let them know about a suspicious vehicle, a crime that was committed, or that you are going away for the weekend.
Businesses
- Co-operate in terms of security.(Escort female staff to cars or bus stops.)
- Share information concerning organised crime such as shoplifting.
- Monitor and report with a view to control vagrancy, drinking in public, drug dealing, etc.
- Involve youth in the area. Part time staff, house sitting staff homes in the area, they can provide deliveries to elderly or infirm in the area. (Groceries, medicines from chemists.)
- Create spirit by having inter-company sport days. Volleyball, paint ball, etc.
- Sponsor activities. Community members doing graffiti or litter clean up can be sponsored scrubbing brushes, gloves, plastic bags, t-shirts, etc.
Meetings
Draw up a schedule for meetings. Gain commitment as it reinforces spirit of common purpose and goals.
- Once a week. 10 minutes. Informal, on the street itself. This is good for a sudden show of force, morale and commitment.
- Once a month: Representative meets informally with SAPS. Share info, ideas, challenges, successes and solutions.
- Once a month: Meeting of the watch. Can invite a guest speaker from Metro, SAPS, Fire, Ambulance, Security co., a social worker or local contractor.
- Once a month: Two or more members of the watch attend the CPF meeting. They can voice concerns, receive feedback and interact with other watches. They will hear valuable information such as crime reports from the SAPS and give feedback about the topics of guest speakers.
Family days. Have a picnic in a park. Invite Metro, SAPS patrol in the area to drop in.
Sharing of responsibilities and tasks.
Various members of the watch will have specific skills. Carefully manage these with a view not to over exploit them, but to benefit all, morally or financially.
Encourage loyalty to local contractors and tradesmen. This will build community spirit.
Provide support. Babysitting, making meals for elderly, sewing, knitting, everyone has something they can do and something they might need.
Involve youth. They are the responsible and active community of the future.
The essence is to manage and keep the commitment form all the members in the road or area. One will find that interest will fade until something unfortunate happens to that errant member. What you would like to achieve is continual participation so that crime can be prevented and other needs within that road or area are constantly addressed and rectified.
If you need further advice or assistance, contact the SAPS Station Commissioner, Communications officer or Crime Prevention heads.
Why would anyone wish to establish a
neighbourhood watch?
Statistics suggest that neighbourhood watches are one of the
simplest and most effective methods for reducing crime in residential
areas. For various security reasons publishing the methods adopted by
different watches in Westville is not appropriate. However there are many
neighbourhood watches and street committees in Westville that survive
because they are effective. Fortunately one can seek information on how to
get started from Constable Stephen Clark at Westville SAPS. The SAPS has
experience in knowing what works and what doesn't. So if you do not have a
'Street committee" or 'watch' you should make the effort to get the
ball rolling now, not tomorrow.
Get to know your neighbour.
This month we are following up on ' Observer Corps for Westville' which was featured in the August edition of the Westville Watch. The whole idea is that someone out there must be around when crimes are committed but no one reports them until AFTER the event. Are the criminals invisible?
The following form has been designed by ME, no applause required. However it will please me very much and the committee and not to forget the SAPS if you will approach your neighbours, meet them, exchange details etc and keep the form next to your telephone.
Also please explain to your children and your domestic (and your granny) how to use it.
If you or they notice anything 'not quite right' please phone you or the police station. We must try and reduce the crime in our (your area). Your neighbour could be your best friend regardless of their origins or colour.
If you are from another suburb , city or country it will be equally useful, crime is everywhere.
HELP THE POLICE TO REDUCE CRIME IN YOUR AREA
We need you and your domestic to immediately report any suspicious activity. You will be able to warn your neighbour only if you have their telephone numbers. There are occasions when furniture is stolen and the neighbour believes they are moving house. Please cut out and complete the form below, ensure your domestic will use it and place the form by your phone. Record and report suspicious vehicle numbers immediately.
Form a new neighbourhood
watch or rekindle an existing one
The Westville CPF is keen to encourage neighbourhood
watches and offers space on this website to notify their members and their
prospective members of meetings, events and provide general feedback.
Please contact the CPF to discuss your needs or request guidelines.
Liaise
with SAPS
Once a group has established itself it should contact the Westville SAPS
and provide a copy of the details below and nominate a contact person to
liaise between the "Watch" and the SAPS. members should
make a serious effort to go to the monthly CPF Meetings and become street
wise!
Know your neighbour chart. You and your domestic should be alert and report any suspicious activities. Meet your neighbour and exchange information so that collectively your area will be protected from crime. Daytime crime is increasing even over the week-end. Be alert at all times. Attend the CPF meetings.
Neighbourhood Watch
