Neighborhood Watch

Back to Home Page

A strong Neighborhood Watch program is one of the most effective and enjoyable things a street or neighborhood can do to protect itself against crimes and their perpetrators. Most crimes that occur in neighborhoods are crimes of opportunity where criminals are on the lookout for easy targets. The goal of Neighborhood Watch is to eliminate these targets.

The first step is to take positive actions to protect your own home and car:

Keep your porch lights on at night
Keep shrubbery away from windows to prevent hiding places
Leave indoor light(s) on random timer
Do not open your door to strangers
Replace original locks with more secure deadbolts
Keep unused doors and windows locked, even when you are inside
Do not place mail with personal info in your mailbox (take it inside the post office)
Make list of serial numbers or identification info for valuable items
Close your garage door if you are working in the backyard
Lock the door into your house from the garage
Lock your car with valuables in trunk (including radar and GPS devices)
Park car in garage if possible

When you leave your home for extended absences:

Notify neighbors
Cancel newspaper and mail or arrange for pickup
Arrange for yard care
Notify police

Additional steps often associated with a Neighborhood Watch program are:

Appoint a Block Captain to coordinate neighbor crime prevention activities
Conduct periodic get-togethers to acquaint yourself with your neighbors
Periodically check on homes of absent neighbors
Place neighbors old newspapers up by their front door
Install Neighborhood Watch sign
Attend the Universal City Citizens Police Academy
Report inoperable streetlights to CPS and UCPD Dispatch (658-5353, Ext. 1)
Report suspicious activity and/or persons to UCPD Dispatch (658-5353, Ext. 1)

Residents of strong Neighborhood Watch streets and neighborhoods are protected because they have been “trained” to be more vigilant and are inclined to report suspicious vehicles, activities and people to the Universal City Police Department, and the criminals know that. It’s difficult to quantify the results of active Neighborhood Watch programs because their net effect is crimes NOT committed, and those don’t show up on the police blotter or in crime statistics. Except for a nominal charge for the signs, Neighborhood Watch programs are cost-free and are a great way to become acquainted – or reacquainted – with a larger cross-section of your neighbors. If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch program in your area or if you would simply like more information on Neighborhood Watch programs, call the Universal City Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (658-5353, Ext. 526) or e-mail our Neighborhood Watch Coordinator. Further crime prevention information is also available at the website for the National Crime Prevention Council.