Neighbourhood Watch

What is Neighbourhood Watch?

Neighbourhood Watch is a program to help neighbours watch out for neighbours.

It aims to get citizens involved in discouraging and preventing crime at the local level. The ultimate success of Neighbourhood Watch depends largely on a commitment to cooperate between area residents and the police - and more importantly, between residents themselves.

I just happened to notice a stranger pull into my neighbour's driveway, when I knew that he and his wife were both away at work. As soon as I lifted the curtain, the guy got right back into his car and drove off. Possible a coincidence, but I noted his license number - just in case." Retiree, Alta Vista, Ottawa

How Does it Work?

The program thrives on mutual aid. Your neighbours know who you are, what type of car you drive, and may be the first to notice a suspicious person at your door or window. A police officer patrolling your community may not recognize a stranger in your yard- but your neighbour will. The Neighbourhood Watch program builds on these facts. By simply getting to know the neighbours around you, you'll be well positioned to recognize someone or something that's suspicous.

Protect yourself...

- Ensure your home is well lit and has good locks (sign up for a free home security inspection at your Community Police Centre)

-Always secure all doors and windows when your home is unoccupied

-Join Operation Identification

-Get to know your neighbours!

If You'rs Going Away...

-Leave the following information with a trusted neighbour:

-where you are and how long you're going

-how you can be reached, in case of emergency

-Ask that neighbour to pick up mail or newspapers, mow the lawn, or shovel the driveway, to make your house look lived-in.

Watch for...

-Suspicious persons or activities

-Vehicles passing by many times, suspiciously parked or constantly travelling through alleyways

-Obvious invitations to burglars (eg. open garage doors, unlocked cars, accumulation of newspapers on a vacationing neighbour's doorstep)

If You See Something Suspicious...

-Write down the description of any suspicious persons

-Get the make, model, colour and license plate number of any suspicious vehicles

-Notify police and other Watch Members of any suspicious persons or activity

-Remember, it it's a crime in progress, don't put yourself in danger ---Call 9-1-1 immediately.