Neighborhood Watch

Fairfield's Neighborhood Watch is an effective crime prevention program which enlists the active participation of residents in a community, in partnership wth the Fairfield Police Department, to reduce crime in their communities. It involves:

• Neighbors getting to know each other and working together in a program of mutual assistance

• Residents trained to recognize and report suspicious activities in their neighborhoods

• Implementation of crime prevention techniques such as personal security, vehicle security, CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design), and basic police operation information.

  Helpful Documents

  How To Start A Neighborhood Watch

  Neighborhood Watch Brochure

  Landscaping and Lighting Tips

  Solicitor Badge Requirements

  Code Enforcement Brochure

  How to Deal with Nuisance Landlords and Neighbors

  How to Sue in Small Claims Court

The ABC’s of Fairfield Neighborhood Watch

• Any community resident can join—young and old, single and married, young and senior
• Concerned residents using their Block Captains partner with the Fairfield Police Department and spearhead the effort to organize a Watch
• Participants learn how to make there homes more secure, watch out for each other, and report suspicious activities to the Fairfield Police Department
• Watch groups are typically 20 to 30 residents—based on visually seeing other neighbors—if you cannot see your neighbors from where you live (or do not pass their house on a regular basis), it may be an indication that they should form their own Watch group
• Watch groups are not vigilantes—they are extra eyes and ears for observing and reporting crime, as well as helping neighbors

Getting Organized

When a group of residents decides to form a Neighborhood Watch. . .

• Contact the Fairfield Police Department’s Neighborhood Watch Coordinator (707.428.7673 ) for help in coordinating your meeting.
• Select a Block Captain and Co-Captain who will be responsible for organizing meetings and relaying information to participants.
• Recruit members—keep up-to-date with new residents and make special efforts to involve the elderly, working residents, and young people.

Strengthening Your Group

• Organize regular meetings that focus on current issues.
• Generate excitement about the Watch group—get more residents to be excited and involved.
• Develop events that positively impact the neighborhood such as: National Night Out, Neighborhood Litter Pickup Day, Graffiti Removal Patrol, and Adopt A Neighborhood Park.
• Have someone designated to take notes for Neighborhood Watch meetings—they can be distributed to residents that did not attend the meeting.
• Publish a newsletter to distribute to all neighbors that highlights activities in the neighborhood and residents who are “making a difference.”
• Use social events such as, block parties, potlucks, picnics, and yard sales to strengthen the Neighborhood Watch group.