Billings Neighborhood Watch Program
What is a Neighborhood Watch?
The Neighborhood Watch program originally started here in Billings and Yellowstone County in 1983. Neighborhood Watch is a national program based upon the concept that community members can prevent or help deter crimes in their neighborhoods. Organized blocks can safeguard their own neighborhoods and support the efforts of local law enforcement agencies by utilizing rules of observation, documentation and notification. The local Neighborhood Watch program is administered by the Billings Police Department. Volunteers, law enforcement officers and the community implement the program. These individuals schedule, plan and give presentations that guide citizens to establish organized blocks, conduct follow up activities and provide support to the program.
Forming a Neighborhood Watch
Understand that you must be organized and maintain organized in order to be effective.
- Hold a meeting with neighbors and decide if a problem does exist in your neighborhood and if your neighborhood is willing to get involved.
- Find the neighbors interest in becoming involved
- Ask about times to schedule initial Neighborhood Watch meeting
- Contact The Crime Prevention Center to schedule a meeting and presentation by using the on-line contact form or calling 247-8594.
Any member of a community can join. Members can learn how to protect their homes, watch out for others in the neighborhood, and report suspicious activities to the police department. A neighborhood watch can be formed for: a block, apartment, park, business area, office, and public housing complexes Watch groups are not vigilantes. They are merely an extra set of eyes and ears for reporting crimes and helping neighbors. It works by allowing citizens to work together with neighbors to deter, detect crime, and improve the quality of neighborhoods.
How to Keep Your Neighborhood Watch Running Strong
- Organize and maintain meeting among individuals in your neighborhood.
- Get involved with improvements in your neighborhood (pick up liter, adopt a park).
- Get involved with other crime prevention programs available in your community.
- Create a newsletter for your neighborhood; download from Billings Police Department website to stay informed with current issues.
- Schedule social events that would allow neighbors to get to know each other (pot luck or a block picnic).
How to Report Suspicious Activity
- Call 657-8200 (non-emergency) or 911 (emergency)
- Give your name and address
- Briefly describe event: what happened, who was involved, when it took place and where it happened.
- Describe the suspect: sex, race, age, height, weight, hair color, clothing and any other features you can get.
- Describe the vehicle (if one is involved): color, make, model, year, license plates, and special feature it may possess (stickers, dents, or decals).
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