Crime Prevention 
Neighbourhood Watch
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The Neighbourhood Watch Program is a proactive concept designed to reduce residential break and enters and other property crimes within a community.
Through increased awareness and crime prevention tips, participating community members are encouraged to develop good security habits and to watch out for each other’s property.
NEIGHBOURS WATCHING OUT FOR NEIGHBOURS
A police officer patrolling your community may not recognize a stranger inside your yard or an unusual vehicle in your neighbourhood, but your neighbours would.
HOW IT WORKS
The program works through mutual aid. Neighbourhood Watch members look out for their neighbours homes and property.
Watch for ...
- Suspicious persons or activities.
- Vehicles passing by numerous times, suspiciously parked, or constantly travelling in back lanes.
- Strangers in your neighbourhood. Someone may use an unanswered doorbell as an indication that no one is home, and use the opportunity to break into the house.
- The person “taking a short-cut” through a yard.
- Strange vehicles parked at your neighbour’s house.
If you see something suspicious don’t assume someone else has called the police. It is your neighbourhood – if you see something you feel is suspicious – TakeAction and do something about it. Note the description of the suspicious person and/or vehicle and call the police immediately at 204-986-6222. If you see an actual crime in progress, immediately telephone the Emergency number 911 and report this incident to the police. Do not confront any suspicious persons yourself or attempt an arrest, as your safety could be jeopardized. Call the police!
WHAT ELSE YOU CAN DO
- Exchange work and vacation schedules with a neighbour you trust, so you can keep an eye on each other’s homes.
- If your neighbour is away, and you see an obvious invitation to a burglar, correct it. (Close the open garage door or remove the accumulation of newspapers
HOW TO DEVELOP THE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH PROGRAM
The most important thing is – get involved. Crime Prevention is everyone’s responsibility and the safest communities are those where the residents are committed to crime prevention and the Neighbourhood Watch program.
To have an active Neighbourhood Watch block, the following must be in place:
THERE MUST BE SOMEONE ON THE BLOCK WHO IS DESIGNATED AS BLOCK CAPTAIN.
The Block Captain is the backbone of the Neighbourhood Watch Program. Block Captains on active blocks receive crime notifications from the police, information from neighbours, and “fan out” this information to other Neighbourhood Watch members on their block. If there is no one willing to volunteer a few hours a year as a Block Captain – the block is removed from the Neighbourhood Watch Program.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH TIPS
Following these simple tips can make your neighbourhood a safer place to live.
- Put the Neighbourhood Watch window decals up immediately.
- Get to know your neighbours and encourage them to visit the Neighbourhood Watch website for stats and info.
- Conduct a security audit of your home and make every effort to upgrade any weaknesses.
- Take part in Operation Identification. Borrow an engraver from the Police Service and mark and record items of value.
- Practice every personal safety and home security precaution.
- If you witness a crime in progress – TakeAction and phone 911. Stay on the line and give whatever information you can to the operator. If you wish to remain anonymous – tell the operator - but still provide them with the information that they request.
- If you see activity that you feel is suspicious, call the police immediately at 204-986-6222.
- If you are a victim of any type of crime – report it to the police. Remember that the police do not know what crimes are happening in your neighbourhood unless you tell them. You should also advise your Block Captain and neighbours. They may have seen or heard of something that could help the police in their investigation.
- The Police advise your Block Captain of crimes that occur on or in relation to your block. Your Block Captain passes this information on by the chosen method of communication. Be sure to always pass this on. Share information - and together you can make a difference.
WANT MORE INFORMATION? TAKEACTION
An active Neighbourhood Watch can result in savings on your insurance premium. Remember, it takes three: you, your Block Captain and the Police to keep your Neighbourhood Watch working. It is up to you to keep “Watching”.
If you wish more information or assistance in starting Neighbourhood Watch on your block, please contact the Winnipeg Police Service Community Relations Unit at 204-986-6322 or via email
Without volunteers – this program does not work.
Get involved!
REQUEST A PRESENTATION
Interested in having a Police Officer to provide a presentation to your group? We'd love to help.
To make your request, please complete and submit the following form.
Due to demand, we request you contact us at least six weeks prior to the event. Most presentations are one hour in duration.
Presentations are free of charge, however the organization requesting the presentation must supply the venue. You must have at least 20 people registered to attend your event.
RESOURCES FOR BLOCK CAPTAINS
Block captains can now download copies of the:
- Neighbourhood Watch Start-Up Sheet for Street Canvassing
- Neighbourhood Watch Street List sheet
- To complete this form electronically, first download and save a copy to your desktop.
- Email the completed street list to the Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator for our records.
- Keep a copy of this document for your own records as well.
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