Community Involvement

446 - Neighborhood Watch Program

The Santa Monica Police Department's Neighborhood Watch program, established in 1974, has involved thousands of residents who are now actively participating in a city-wide crime prevention effort.

Neighborhood Watch groups are not difficult to organize. Once residents in a neighborhood have agreed to participate, they select a block captain who works directly with the Police Department to provide information to neighbors via newsletters and telephone calls. These same neighbors, in turn, provide information to the police.

Participants in Neighborhood Watch arrange for a home security survey, exchange phone numbers with neighbors, and report all crimes and suspicious activity to the police. They are also asked to contribute towards the purchase of Neighborhood Watch signs, to be posted on their street, and to place decals on their homes.

A Neighborhood Watch newsletter is published and distributed to member homeowners and residents each quarter. The newsletter is prepared by the Police Department's Community Relations Unit, providing information related to home security and safety, crime statistics, property identification, drunk drivers, fraud, personal safety on the street and other newsworthy items.

For more information on organizing a Neighborhood Watch group or joining one in your neighborhood, call the Crime Prevention Unit at (310) 458-8474. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.