NCJ Number
109185
Journal
Australian Police Journal Volume: 40 Issue: 2 Dated: (1986) Pages: 47-50
Date Published
1986
Length
4 pages
Annotation
Delivered at the first annual seminar of New South Wales, Australia, Neighborhood Watch areas, this speech describes how the police initiated a watch system and emphasizes its benefits both to citizens and law enforcement.
Abstract
After the first 12 months, over 300,000 homes are involved in the neighborhood watch program. Since 1974, the incidence of breaking and entering has more than doubled and the clear-up rate almost halved. A major contributing factor is the growth of high and medium density urban living areas with a consequent increase in anonymity levels. Three useful policing tools -- the telephone, radio, and car -- have broken down community relationships. The challenge is to develop a system that can provide the benefits of community-style policing of the past in the changed circumstances of today. Neighborhood Watch is the ideal vehicle for the resurgence of community responsibility. The overwhelmingly positive community response to neighborhood watch shows that it fills a need that has existed for some time. The benefits of neighborhood watch to the community are obvious: close community ties, less fear of crime, and reduced burglary rates. The benefits to the police include job satisfaction from a reduced crime rate and a great reduction in the we/they syndrome. More police are realizing that the future success of policing will depend very much on the success of community policing programs.