Overview

Wauwatosa's Neighborhood Block Watch Program is a crime prevention program that enlists the active participation of citizens, in cooperation with law enforcement, to reduce residential crime.

Neighborhood Watch means...

• Neighbors getting to know one another and then working together in a program of mutual assistance.
• Citizens learning how to recognize and report suspicious activity.
• People using proven crime prevention techniques to "Target Harden" their property.

How does Neighborhood Watch work?

You and your neighbors are in a position to really know what goes on in your neighborhood. Neighborhood Watch is all about organizing the eyes and ears of the entire neighborhood into a powerful crime prevention tool.

Citizens are not trained to take police action on their own. They are trained to spot criminal activity and call the authorities if necessary.

Is Neighborhood Watch truly effective?

Yes it is! The reason is simple:

Criminals need desire, opportunity, and ability to commit a crime.

Neighborhood Watch groups deny criminals the opportunity and ability they need to operate undetected.

Starting a Neighborhood Watch Group is easy...

• A Wauwatosa Police Officer will present a one time start-up meeting to your neighbors and provide crime prevention materials including signage.
• After that, a designated "Block Captain" will help distribute our popular Block Watch newsletter "TOSA WATCH" which is published quarterly.

Neighborhood Watch Newsletter

Produced quarterly by the Community Support Division, this newsletter informs citizens of services and special events being offered by the Police Department.

Also included is information on crime trends and prevention techniques.

Read the most recent edition of the Neighborhood Watch Newsletter.

Contact

For more information, please email the Community Support Division or call Laura Laurishke at (414) 471-8430 ext. 5111.