Does your homeowners association have a neighborhood watch in effect? A common concern in any neighborhood is safety. Association members  tend to look out for each other, and there are things you should pay attention to as an HOA board member that signal it’s time to take action.

If crime is up in your homeowners association, you’ve noticed more incidences of graffiti, received more requests from members to install a home security system, need tips to discourage burglars or have received complaints from members that they don’t feel safe, it may be time to do something about it. It’s time for your community to take it to the next level and implement a neighborhood watch program. The following article explains how to get started.

Posted by: Neighborhood Link

Neighborhood Watch – How to Start One!

Starting a Neighborhood Watch program in your neighborhood is not hard, but it will take a little time and some proper planning.

Step One: Getting started

• Visit the nnw.org website which is the national face of the Neighborhood Watch program. There you will find great information to help you get started.

• Determine the area you want to organize. This should be the area you consider your "neighborhood". Groups can range in size from 5 to 150 households. The larger the area, the greater the protection.

• Find neighbors to assist you. These people will form your initial group of Neighborhood Watch Volunteers. A good number would be one person per 8 to 10 households. Determine the best night of the week for a presentation. Most Neighborhood Watch presentations are held during the evening hours, Fridays and weekends are not recommended.

Set up a free neighborhood watch website to help coordinate and communicate your efforts. See this article on how to use a website with the neighborhood watch program.

Step Two: Contact the Sheriff's Office to schedule speakers

• Contact Your Local Sheriff's Office or Police Department
• Arrange a meeting location close to your neighborhood. It should have enough room to hold your invited neighbors and, if needed, for the use of audio visual aids such as an overhead projector.

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As an HOA board member your main responsibilities are to protect, maintain, and enhance the Association community you live in. Protecting the Association as a board member means understanding the community association management laws, financial planning for the future, wisely using the budget, and providing an open ear to member’s concerns -- which many times is related to safety.

Step up as a board member to oversee a neighborhood watch program, and encourage the members in the Association to get involved on the committee because they care about where they live and the people they live in community with.