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1. What is a Neighborhood Watch?

Neighborhood Watch is an organized effort between citizens and the police to prevent crime and improve the quality of life within neighborhood groups. In cooperation with the Zionsville Police Department, neighbors work to safeguard each other’s homes and reduce the risk of crime in their community.

2. What is Required of Block Captains?

Block Captains support the Coordinator by communicating with residents in their immediate area. The number of Block Captains that a Watch has is determined by the size of the Watch. Block Captains’ primary duties are to share information with the Watch members and to assist the Coordinator with events and meetings.

3. How is a Neighborhood Watch organized?

A Neighborhood Watch typically consists of the Police Liaison, a Coordinator, Block Captains, and Watch members, but the program can be customized to meet the specific needs of the neighborhood. Regardless, the success of Neighborhood Watch depends on each group and/or member to be alert and communicate with each other.

 The Police Liaison is a Zionsville Police Department member assigned to the Neighborhood Watch Program.

 The Coordinator is a neighborhood member who serves as the liaison between the neighborhood and the police department. The Coordinator is also responsible for the sharing of information with the Block Captains.

 Block Captains communicate with the watch members who live on their respective blocks or areas.

 Watch members live in the neighborhood and make a commitment to remain aware and vigilant of suspicious and possible criminal activity. Watch members serve as the “eyes and ears” of the Neighborhood Watch.

4. What is Required of Watch Members?

The fundamental purpose of Neighborhood Watch is to prevent crime by increasing member’s awareness. Zionsville Police Department will provide strategies and techniques to prepare watch members to be observant to possible suspicious or criminal activity. Members are expected to pay attention to what goes on in their neighborhood, to recognize suspicious activity, and to report it to the police. Additionally, members may work with the Block Captains and the Coordinator to solve neighborhood problems or participate in organized events.

5. What is Required of the Coordinator?

Initially, the Coordinator will work with the Block Captains to plan a start-up meeting. The Coordinator is responsible for creating and maintaining a Neighborhood Watch phone tree (a list of the names and telephone numbers of all participating members). Coordinators should hold at least one Neighborhood Watch meeting each year, although more frequent gatherings are encouraged. The Zionsville Police Department will assist with the agenda and attend the Neighborhood Watch meetings.

6. What Should be Expected from the Police Liaison?

The Police Liaison’s role is to provide the Neighborhood Watch with the information and tools for success in implementing and maintaining a strong Neighborhood Watch program. The Police Liaison will attend meetings and be available for the Neighborhood Watch if any issues or questions arise. Lastly, the Police Liaison will relay neighborhood concerns to other Zionsville Police Department members to ensure that criminal patrols are focused and responsive to the concerns of the Neighborhood Watch.

7. How to get Started?

Neighborhoods interested in a Watch Program should talk amongst themselves to gauge interest and feasibility. Once the neighborhood has determined their interest in a Watch Program, contact Captain Drake Sterling at dsterling@zionsville-in.gov or 317-873-5967 ext. 9923.