How do I form or Join a Neighborhood Watch Group for my Neighborhood?

Neighborhood Watch Application

Neighborhood Watch groups, were created to encourage citizen involvement in preventing residential crime. Involved neighbors report suspicious activities observed from their homes or through patrols to the Lane County Sheriff's Office. Watch educates participants in the principles of deterrence, delay, and detection. The program depends on a communication network organized with three levels of participants - the resident, watch leaders, and the Sheriff's Office. Neighborhood Watch is a proven crime-reduction program, and like any self-help program, its success depends upon you and your neighbor.

Neighborhood Watch does not condone vigilante actions. No one is asked to take personal risks.

How do I organize a Neighborhood Watch Program?

If you and your neighbors are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch Program in your area:

1. Contact Sgt. Carrie Carver (541-682-4179) at the Lane County Sheriff’s Office to discuss the possibility of starting a Neighborhood Watch group. The Sheriff’s Office will explain the concept of Neighborhood Watch, discuss your current crime situation, and send you a Neighborhood Watch Interest Packet.
2. Determine the general coverage area for your watch group and discuss the idea of Neighborhood Watch within that area to determine interest.
3. Interested neighbors must fill out applications and submit them to the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, Sgt. Carrie Carver.
4. Contact Sgt. Carrie Carver 10 to 14 days in advance of your first meeting to ensure a representative from the Sheriff’s Office can attend and answer questions.

The program does not require frequent meetings, and participants are not required to participate in patrols.

Where can my Neighborhood Watch group purchase signs for our neighborhood?
Signs, magnets, decals, and other Neighborhood Watch items are available from the National Neighborhood Watch Institute.