Neighborhood Watch
The goal of Neighborhood Watch (NW) is to create a safer neighborhood and a neighborhood with a greater sense of community.
Neighborhood Watch was started in the 60’s in response to a major increase in crime. It’s about neighbors coming together to:
- Make their homes more secure
- Watch out for each other and the neighborhood
- Report activities that seem suspicious because you know what is unusual (Note: NW is not a vigilante program! Don’t put yourself at risk! It’s not about being nosy.)
- Ensure crimes are reported so we can keep track of trends
Does it work?
Austin Police Department (APD): "Ten times more arrests come from neighbors reporting suspicious circumstances to 911 than stem from officer patrols by themselves."
APD resources are spread thin. At most, there are ten police cars patrolling the 49 and 1/2 square miles of the “Southwest Area Command/David Sector” of which Zilker is part.
According to Officer Kinley, Zilker’s APD District Rep, “better-articulated calls-ins get higher priority.”
So, Neighborhood Watch is not just about being the eyes and ears of our neighborhood. It’s about banding together so that we all get better and better at this.
Why be involved?
- Safety concerns / “Taking the streets back!”
- Giving back to the neighborhood. It’s neighborly! It supports community!
- It even helps property values to live in a safe, organized neighborhood.
Neighborhood Watch Pods
A Neighborhood Watch Pod is when a group of neighbors formalize keeping a look out for each other. It can be with as few as the five houses around you or as large as a wide swath of streets. It’s helpful, it’s informative, and it’s fun!
Neighborhood Watch Patrolling
Neighborhood Patrols are neighbors driving around the neighborhood watching and reporting suspicious behavior. This is a way to prove to criminals that we're keeping an eye out for each other and is proven to reduce crime in a neighborhood.
Have you seen people in these yellow t-shirts? We now have foot and pedal patrols too.
Join us! For more information about the Zilker Neighborhood Watch Program, contact a Neighborhood Watch volunteer via this email form.
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Some good news to report on crime statistics in Zilker Analysis by Connie Temple While it may be a bit disconcerting to use the term good news when referencing crime - it is factual. 2011 crime statistics reflect a decrease not only nationally and in our city but also in our neighborhood. Here are a few recent reports and postings that reference this downward trend nationally and in South Austin. |
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Neighborhood WatchDOG T-shirts
Check out Willie’s cool Neighborhood Watchdog coat. This unique coat was created by Brenda, our Zilker neighbor. As a Neighborhood Watch volunteer, Brenda has been instrumental in raising Neighborhood Watch awareness in her corner of Zilker. In exchange for a donation of time or funds to Zilker’s Neighborhood Watch Program, Brenda has offered to sew a few Watchdog coats. Brenda has sewn dozens of these coats made of fleece and donated them to Austin Pets Alive. If you have a sewing machine and would like to make your own Neighborhood Watchdog coat, Brenda is willing to provide the pattern and sewing tips. If your dog is at least 35 lbs the entire logo will show on the back of the dog.
You can contact Brenda via this email form for more information on these doggie coats. If you would like to purchase a Zilker Neighborhood Watch t-shirt ($7.50) contact a Neighborhood Watch volunteer via this email form. Thank you Willie, Fig and Brenda for all your efforts to keep our neighborhood safe! |
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Reporting a Crime and Why It's Important One of the most frequently asked questions about contacting the Austin Police Department (APD) is: “Which number should I call 3-1-1 or 9-1-1?” Zilker’s APD District Representative suggested the following guidelines. |
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Zilker’s Neighborhood Watch Program Neighborhood Watch (NW) Programs tend to be cyclical in nature. An increase in crime will spur neighbors to become more active in their local NW Program. This level of activity and participation may wane over time, particularly if the incidents of crime decrease. Zilker is currently experiencing a lessened level of participation in our NW Program. In the absence of volunteers to support this traditional NW approach, the Zilker Neighborhood Association’s (ZNA) Executive Committee offered to support Zilker’s NW Program through the utilization of existing ZNA/Neighborhood tools e.g. the ZNA web site, ZNews and the Zilker Yahoo! Group. |
Meet ‘Willie’ the Neighborhood Watchdog and his best friend ‘Fig’ out on patrol in South Zilker.
Brenda asked that we remind everyone to please support Zilker’s Neighborhood Watch Program by walking in the neighborhood with a dog, friend or family regularly. Hopefully dog, human or both will be sporting a bright yellow Zilker Neighborhood Watch t-shirt.Are your doors and windows as secure as they can be? Take this survey and know for sure.
If you don’t have a comprehensive list of your valuables, reporting a loss to the police or your insurance company can be a difficult task. Complete this form now in case you ever need it.
Here are some great tips to avoid burglary loss or, if it were to happen, to recover from it more readily.
HARDENING THE TARGET – WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MAKE YOUR PROPERTY SAFER
A few simple (and inexpensive) changes can make your home much less vulnerable. What do you have to lose?
REDUCE YOUR HOMEOWNER INSURANCE PREMIUMS. HERE’S HOW.
Make your home safer and save money at the same time. What’s not to like?
ON THE ROAD AGAIN? VACATION CHECKLIST
Here are precautions you will want to take before leaving your home for any extended time. Check this list and travel with greater peace of mind.
This is a comprehensive summation of the best ideas to make your home and neighborhood safe. Read it and share it with your neighbors.
FORM A NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH “POD”
A POD is simply a way to describe a small group of neighbors that come together to look after each other. From such small actions, entire neighborhoods can be made safer.
REPORTING A CRIME AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT
Never hesitate to contact the police if you have been burgled. The steps you take might prevent further occurrences for both you and your neighbors.
SUSPICIOUS ACTIONS AND WHAT THEY MIGHT MEAN
As a Watch participant it is critical to be aware of unusual activity in your neighborhood. Just what might be considered “suspicious?”
See something, say something, but also write it down. If you see a suspicious vehicle, make a note of it. This form shows all the information needed to help the APD do their job more successfully.
Like the Vehicle Description Form, the Suspect Description Form insures that the APD have a running start in case a crime is reported in the vicinity. The better the description, the higher is the priority given to such reports.
These are two excellent online resources to track crime in our neighborhood. Information is powerful.
SAMPLE DOOR FLIER – NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH POD LAUNCH MEETING
This is a Word Document that can be modified for your Pod Launch meeting. There are two fliers on each printed page.
What to do when someone you do not know rings your doorbell or knocks on your door? Here are some helpful Solicitor safety tips from the Gracywoods Neighborhood Association.
Officer Dwayne Kinley
(512) 974-4281
Email Form
From the APD site:
"The District Representatives’ purpose is to designate an officer assigned to an area as a liaison between the community and the police department to assist the community in solving neighborhood problems. The District Representatives are called upon to do a myriad of activities which include, but are not limited to: enhancing patrol efforts, attending neighborhood association meetings to provide input or answers, attending school functions to educate children about safety and crime prevention, assisting the community in solving non-emergency problems and helping the community become self-reliant."