Alhambra's Neighborhood Watch crime prevention program enlists the active participation of residents in the community to work in cooperation with the Alhambra Police Department to reduce crime in their neighborhoods. Members of Neighborhood Watch attend meetings that are conducted by the Police Department to learn about the latest crime prevention techniques, tools, and crime trends. Studies show that there has been a significant reduction in burglaries and auto thefts in Alhambra neighborhoods with active watch groups. How to Get Started First, begin by organizing those neighbors with whom you have occasional contact. If your block is mostly single-family homes, invite neighbors on both side of the street and adjacent corners. If you live in an apartment or condominium complex, include everyone in your building and in the adjacent buildings as space permits. Talk to your neighbors and tell them you are starting a Neighborhood Watch group and that you need their participation. Enlist the help of another willing neighbor to assist you. Introduce yourselves by going door-to-door. Encourage neighbors to participate by telling them about any recent crime activity in the area. Ask your neighbors about the best time to conduct a meeting (generally between 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday-Thursday). Exchange phone numbers. Tell your neighbors that you will notify them when a meeting is scheduled. Take the opportunity to get acquainted on a first-name basis. This is vital to the success of the Neighborhood Watch program. If you need a location for your meeting, ask your neighbors if they would be willing to host this or a future meeting. Alternate locations include schools, places of worship, and the library. Call the Alhambra Crime prevention Office at (626) 570-5177 to schedule an available date and time for your first meeting. Find out approximately how many households your meeting will include. Fliers announcing the date, time, location and topic of your meeting can be made available to you and should be distributed in person 7-10 days prior to the meeting. Solicit the help of neighbors to pass out the fliers. Contact neighbors again in person or by phone 2 to 3 days prior to your meeting. The Crime Prevention Coordinator will bring a summary of local crime activity and will assist you in running your first meeting.

Click here to read the Spring 2008 Alhambra Neighborhood Watch Newsletter