Neighborhood Crime Watch

Neighborhood Watch Programs go by many names: Community Watch, Crime Watch, Building Watch. But whatever you call it, when neighbors organize to help their local police department watch over their community, it can make a significant impact on reducing crime and fear in your area.

First Steps To Initiate Program

An individual, community organization, or law enforcement agency can initiate a Neighborhood Crime Watch program through a few simple steps:

Hold a meeting to discuss local crime concerns and determine if there is enough interest to start a Neighborhood Crime Watch program.
Contact the Camillus Police Department for neighborhood training on home security, common crime patterns, what to watch for, and how to report suspicious activity.
Select an overall coordinator and block captains to help organize volunteers and maintain effective communication.
Recruit volunteers – including homeowners, renters, business owners, seniors, working parents, and young people – anyone willing to help is welcome.

Requirements For The Program

Regular meetings to keep the group active and organized.
Watchful volunteers who are vigilant and committed to spotting and reporting suspicious activity.
Consistent communication, such as flyers, newsletters, emails, or phone calls.
Special events to keep members engaged, such as safety seminars, block parties, or neighborhood clean-up days.

What Does A Neighborhood Crime Watch Program Do?

A typical Neighborhood Crime Watch program focuses on four key strategies to help make your community safer:

1. Property Identification

Offers a service to mark valuable items with an identifying number, discouraging theft and helping police recover stolen property.

2. Home Security

Encourages the use of proven techniques to make homes more secure.

3. Neighborhood Vigilance

Organizes residents to look out for one another and report suspicious or unusual activity. Examples include:

Screams or calls for help.
Someone looking into cars or windows of homes.
A stranger removing items from an unoccupied home or closed business.
Vehicles cruising slowly or without lights.
Anyone being forced into a vehicle.
A stranger stopping to talk to a child.

4. Prompt Reporting

If you see something suspicious, call the Camillus Police Department at (315)487-0102 and be prepared to:

Quickly explain what happened.
Give your name and address.
Describe the suspect; Gender, race, age, height, weight, hair color, clothing, any distinguishing features such as facial hair, scars, tattoos, or accent.
If a vehicle is involved, report its color, make, model, year, license plate number, and any distinguishing features (e.g. bumper stickers or dents).

Other Services

Below is a list of services we offer.

Report A Crime

Report a crime tip anonymously using our 4-1-1 Anonymous Crime Tip options (reports are not monitored 24/7).