Neighborhood Crime Watch is one of the most effective - and least costly - ways of reducing and/or preventing residential property crimes. Through citizen involvement, it is a neighborhood and community-based effort designed to assist citizens, business owners, and the police in reducing crime - increasing an overall sense of peace, safety, and security in the neighborhood and throughout the city.

The goals of Neighborhood Crime Watch

• Train citizens in various safety and residential security strategies in hopes of making their neighborhoods and homes more secure.
• To increase citizen awareness of crimes such as burglary, property damage, theft, and vandalism.
• To develop a neighborhood action program where neighbors help watch each other’s residences and businesses.
• To not be afraid, or hesitant, to report suspicious persons and activities in their neighborhoods to the proper authorities.

MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of Hammond’s Neighborhood Crime Watch, Inc. is to be a liaison between the Police Department, the residents of the City of Hammond, and the business community. Educating and informing the citizens and business owners on laws governing our community, instruction on general safety, and literally being the eyes and ears of the police will help promote a safer, healthier, crime-free environment for all residing within our city. We will work with all citizens, organizations, and law enforcement agencies to accomplish these goals.

What Neighborhood Crime Watch is NOT

• A “Cure-All” for the problems facing your neighborhood and community.
• An absolute guarantee that crime won’t occur in your neighborhood.
• A program designed for participants to take personal or unsafe risks to prevent crime.
• A vigilante group working outside of, and ignoring, the normal procedures of law enforcement.

Benefits of Neighborhood Crime Watch

• Putting “neighbor” back into neighborhood. Neighborhood Crime Watch helps to bring the police and the community together as a TEAM to reduce crime in your area. This TEAM approach brings about a greater sense of security and well-being for yourself, your family, and a greater sense of community.
• Making your neighborhood more livable. Taking pride in your house, your yard, and beautifying your neighborhood and surroundings. This helps to deter crime. Add additional outdoor lighting to the exterior of your house, garage, or building. Make certain that your home or business is SECURE both inside and out.
• Posting Neighborhood Crime Watch SIGNS throughout the neighborhoods. This lets criminals know that residents and business owners are observant, and willing, to report any and all suspicious activity to the police.
• Getting to know your neighbors, their routines, and regular PATTERNS. This helps Crime Watch groups to better look out for each other, and be willing to report any CHANGES or ACTIVITY that just doesn’t “fit” with regular schedules.
• Participants of Crime Watch Groups are taught how to take certain steps that greatly decrease the chances of becoming a crime victim.
• Being better prepared to respond to suspicious activity. A big part of any Crime Watch group is being taught HOW to report any and all suspicious activity in your neighborhood – knowing what police officers NEED when reporting a crime, and why.
• Having greater access to information on criminal activity – namely, crime TRENDS and PATTERNS. This helps keep participants/residents informed, so that they will be better prepared to spot criminal activity and stop it.
• Talk to your neighbors, and attend other Crime Watch group meetings throughout your city. Make sure that you always have the necessary, up to date CONTACT information for your neighborhood and others.