Neighborhood Watch Meetings

How To Have A Successful Neighborhood Watch Program

Requirements

1 mandatory meeting a year with or without a police officer at the meeting. Preferred with an officer present. 

How to Achieve Required Meetings

• Holiday parties
• Host regular refresher meetings
• Picnics
• Block Parties

Advertising a Meeting to My Neighborhood

• Use your phone or email tree
• Email your neighborhood an invitation
• Send out a newsletter
• Take a survey at the beginning of the year (ask what activities the neighborhood wants)
• Send out flyers with the date on it (send them well in advance)
• Announce meetings at a Homeowners Association meeting

Remember 51% participation is not required at annual meetings.

Where to Host a Meeting

• A private home or backyard if it's summer time
• Ask your local school if they have a room for an evening
• Ask your church
• On your block (you can block off the street for block parties - get application online)
• Meet with another Neighborhood Watch Group for a block party and kill 2 birds with one stone

Getting a Police Officer to Attend a Meeting

To have a police officer give a presentation at your meeting from the Crime Prevention topics offered, call the Crime Prevention Office to schedule the presentation, 847-359-9016, or email Ofc. Mike Murphy. To have a beat officer stop by a block party to see the kids and give out goodies, contact your beat Sergeant with the date and time of the event (Please note: Beat officers will not remain at block parties or other outside events for extended periods of time, they are on duty and may receive calls for service while at your event.)

 Please remember: The meetings can be fun, ask neighbors to help make a potluck block party. Be sure to always fill out the proper forms with the village to host events like block parties. You can do this online