What is a Neighborhood Watch?
A Neighborhood Watch is a group of neighbors who are willing to communicate with each other and pass along information. The group will be educated in crime prevention and will watch for suspicious activity and report this activity to the police.

Neighborhood Watch does not require citizen patrols or citizen assist. It is a program in assisting neighbors developing the "mindset" of keeping an eye out for one another.

How often does a Neighborhood Watch have to meet?

We like each group to meet 2 times a year. This can be a formal meeting or can be a neighborhood BBQ in someone's backyard. Many of our groups have one meeting in the spring and a block party on National Night Out, which occurs the first Tuesday during the month of August.

How many homes have to be a group to qualify as a neighborhood watch?

A Neighborhood Watch group involves all the houses on one street facing one another, cul-de-sacs, and green belts. It usually consists of 10-25 households but by no means is restricted to those numbers.

Why should I start a Neighborhood Watch?

When you participate in the Neighborhood Watch program you will have a direct liaison with the Police Department through your Crime Prevention Officer. Your CPO can provide you with crime prevention information and current crime statistics for your neighborhood. The CPO can also direct you to City websites such as weekly crime maps and registered sex offender information.

What are a Block Captain's responsibilities?

The Block Captain has to submit to a background check and go through a 1 hour training. A Block Captain's job is fairly simple. You are to be a point of contact for your neighbors and the Police Department. The Police Department will occasionally send out information to you, the Block Captain. When you receive the information it is your responsibility to communicate the information to your neighbors. In addition, the police department sponsors quarterly meetings for the Block Captains. We ask that each Captain try to attend two of the quarterly meetings. The meetings are designed for Block Captains however anyone can attend.

Signs.

Due to budget cuts the City of Colorado Springs is no longer able to provide Neighborhood Watch Signs.  Below are two quotes from local sign shops.  You are welcome to go through any vendor.  There are City Codes that must be adhered to when installing street signs on Public Property and City Streets.

Sign Center quote
Sign Shop quote
Chapter 7, Article 4 Chapter 4 of the City Code (street signs)

Neighborhood Watch Depends On You!

Neighborhood Watch does depend on you calling 911 for in-progress emergency calls or 444-7000 for non-emergency situations. Suspicious activity calls can be handled with a minimum of personnel compared to the investigation of an actual crime. Do not hesitate to call as often as necessary. We expect more calls from Neighborhood Watch groups.

How do I start a Neighborhood Watch?

To start a Neighborhood Watch, schedule a meeting with your CSPD Crime Prevention Officer.

Meeting times are normally available Monday through Thursday evenings, and are usually held in one of the Neighborhood Watch participant's homes.

Important Phone Numbers:

Emergency Call: 911

Non-emergency police response: 444-7000

Falcon Division: 444-7246

Gold Hill Division: 385-2117

Sand Creek Division: 444-7276

Stetson Hills Division: 444-3168