Neighborhood Watch

Neighborhood Watch is a Crime Prevention Program that involves a group of residents living in the same area who want to make their neighborhood safer by working in conjunction with law enforcement to reduce crime and improve their quality of life.

Benefits of a Neighborhood Watch Group

• A better quality of life
• Reduction in crime
• A greater sense of security, responsibility, and personal control
• Builds community pride and unity
• Allows residents to help others in the community as well as themselves
• Provides law enforcement with extra set of eyes and ears
• Provides basic skills to all members on preventing crime and reporting suspicious activity

How do you start a Neighborhood Watch Group?

• Residents interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch group would need to contact the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator at (323) 563-5465
• South Gate Police Department will assist in starting the program by scheduling the first meeting in which the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator and Officer will be present
• The first meeting will consist of an introduction to Neighborhood Watch. Residents will have an opportunity to share concerns and ask questions regarding the program
• After the first meeting, it will be up to the Block Captain and neighbors to schedule and coordinate future meetings. It is the responsibility of the individual neighborhood watch groups to keep the program active
• If there is a specific topic residents would like to learn about or obtain more information on, the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator can provide resources and if possible, obtain a guest speaker

What Neighbors Should Look And Listen For

• Someone looking into windows or parked cars
• Unusual Noises
• Someone screaming or shouting for help
• Property being taken from houses where no one is at home, or from closed businesses
• Vehicles moving slowly with no apparent destination, or with no lights on
• Anyone being forced into a vehicle
• A stranger sitting in a car or stopping to talk to a child
• Abandoned cars
• Any unusual activity in businesses, alleys, isolated areas, and notorious problem spots in your neighborhood

If you would like additional information regarding the Neighborhood Watch Program or would like to schedule a Neighborhood Watch meeting in your area, please contact Crime Prevention Specialist Sean Palos at 323-563-5465 or through email at spalos@sogate.org.