Neighborhood Watch
Neighborhood Watch is a crime prevention program that utilizes the active participation of citizens in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime in their communities. It is an organized effort by concerned citizens to improve the quality of life in their neighborhood. In partnership with the Lynchburg Police Department, neighbors work to safeguard each other’s homes and reduce the risks for crime to occur in their neighborhood. They agree to watch out for and report all suspicious activity – first to their local police department – and then to the coordinator in their watch group.
The LPD relies on citizen input to notify us about situations that require law enforcement involvement. Our Neighborhood Watch members are “the eyes and ears” of the police department!
The Lynchburg Police Department (LPD) facilitates the Neighborhood Watch program as a partnership with the citizens of Lynchburg. As of January, 2020, there are thirty two active neighborhood watch groups in Lynchburg.
Each group can meet as often as they want to discuss concerns or other neighborhood projects. The LPD coordinates quarterly training meetings that all group members are invited to attend. We ask that every member attend at least one of these meetings each year. Training topics have ranged from gangs in Lynchburg, Identity Theft, Know Your Rights, to the Concerned Reliable Citizen program. Current crime statistics are discussed with everyone, and members have an opportunity to talk with police officers who are patrolling the city and members of the Community Action Team.
Lynchburg Neighborhood Watch Program Responsibilities
In many cases, neighborhood watches are created because of problems or potential problems in the neighborhood. The interest level in the group and in crime prevention is high when residents feel their neighborhood is in jeopardy. When the crime decreases or the problem is resolved, people lose interest and can become complacent once again. This complacency can affect the safety of the residents and their homes, and eventually the actual Neighborhood Watch program.
The role of the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator and Block Captains are important in the success of the program. Your involvement and enthusiasm for supporting Neighborhood Watch will encourage participation from others in your neighborhood.
What are the Coordinator’s duties?
- Serve as the liaison between the watch and the Lynchburg Police Department.
- Disseminate information with the watch members.
- Maintain an up to date phone/email distribution list for the group and supply that to the LPD Community Action Team.
- Organize at least one meeting a year.
- Recruit new members and encourage the reporting of crime and suspicious activity
- Attend at least one of the quarterly trainings held by the Community Action Team each year.
- Participate in the National Night Out Against Crime event.
What are the Block Captain and Watch Member Duties?
- Look out for your neighbors! Stay alert to any suspicious activity.
- Report all crime and suspicious activity to the LPD.
- Make your home as burglar resistant as possible. Lock your vehicles and remove any valuables from them. Leave lights on at night on your porches. Do a home inventory and mark and/or photograph your valuables.
- Recruit residents to join the watch, especially when someone new moves into your area.
- Share information with other watch members.
- Attend at least one of the quarterly trainings held by the Community Action Team each year.
- Participate in the National Night Out Against Crime event.
- Help the coordinator as need.
If you would like to start a neighborhood watch group in your area or if you would like to join one of the watches
below, please contact Cindy Kozerow, Crime Prevention Specialist, at (434) 455-6145.
For Neighborhood Watch Resources, please visit: National Neighborhood Watch.
Additional Resources:
Contact:
Crime Prevention Specialist Cindy Kozerow
(434) 455-6145
cynthia.kozerow@lynchburgva.gov