What is it?
Neighborhood Watch is an alliance of neighbors who look out for each other's family and property. The terms Neighborhood Watch, Block Watch, Town Watch and Crime Watch are synonymous.

A Watch area is usually a group of single residences, condominiums, apartments or townhouses. The Watch encourages neighbors to occasionally attend meetings designed to enhance a feeling of community by providing information on safety and security. They alert police to any suspicious activity or crime in progress with the purpose of making their community a safer and better place to live.

A Watch group does not take the place of law enforcement. The role of the Watch is to ask neighbors to be alert, observant and caring, and report suspicious activity or crimes immediately to the police.

How do I start a Watch group?
Organize a meeting for neighbors, block, apartment or homes associations and business owners. A Watch can be organized around any geographic unit. Tell members of your interest in starting a Watch group and invite them to discuss crime and other issues of concern within your area. Request a representative from the Lenexa Police Department to answer questions at the meeting.

Your group should select a coordinator and/or block captains. The block captains recruit other neighbors, serve as liaison between neighborhood and law enforcement, and inform residents of meetings and criminal activity in the area.

The Watch group should consist of over 60 percent of the members within the geographic area. Watch signs are prepared and erected by the city.

Once you've formed a Watch:

• Prepare and distribute a map showing names, addresses and telephone numbers of participating households. Block captains should update the information as residents change.
• Invite a representative from the Lenexa Police Department to assist or train members in home and personal security, observation skills and accurate crime reporting.
• Hold regular meetings to provide timely and accurate information.
• Consider sharing information with other organizations or Watch programs.
• Refer to the Lenexa Police Department website to monitor information regarding crimes and various activities in and around your Watch area.