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What is Neighborhood Block Watch?

 

Neighborhood Block Watch (NBW) is a partnership between residents and law enforcement to improve safety and prevent crime. Active NBW groups with visible NBW signs can deter crime. With NBW you can learn:

  • Who your neighbors are and how to work with them;
  • How and why crime happens;
  • How to improve home security and personal safety;
  • How to recognize and report suspicious activity.

Who can participate?

All residents of Newington can participate in NBW, whether you live in an apartment, a condominium, a townhouse, or a single family home.

If I'm interested, what are the next steps?

  1. Read the information below and/or print the Introduction to "Newigborhood Watchs" document.
  2. Contact your neighbors to find out their best times to attend a meeting (typically a weekday evening about 6:30 or 7:00 PM).
  3. Schedule the meeting. 

    • To do so, call the Police Department Community Services Unit and speak with:

                                            Officer Michael Webster
                                             Phone:  (860) 594-6233
                                            Email:  mwebster@newingtonct.gov

  1. Distribute flyers inviting neighbors to the NBW meeting.  The police department can supply flyers that should be distributed about 7 to 10 days before the meeting.
  2. On the day before the meeting, give your friends and neighbors a reminder call or flyer.

Note: Neighborhood Block Watch meetings may be scheduled from May through October .

What happens at the meeting?

A Police representative will attend the meeting to discuss:

    • Crime in Newington and in your area;

    • How and when to contact the police;

    • NBW program requirements, along with how and why they work;

    • What you can do to make your home more safe and secure;

    • What other Newington neighborhoods are doing.

What are the NBW Requirements?

  1. Schedule and hold a NBW meeting;

  2. Complete a roster of members' names, addresses and telephone numbers;

  3. Complete a neighborhood map;

  4. Select a Block Captain and an Alternate for the group;

  5. Decide where the signs should be installed and how many signs are needed;

  6. Bring a copy of the completed map, roster and funds to purchase sign(s) to a Community Service Officer at the police department;

  7. Post the signs;

  8. The group must meet at least once a year, and maintain a current roster and map.

What is a Block Captain?

The Block Captain and the Alternate are liaisons between the NBW group and the police department. They make sure that the map and roster are complete, and that NBW signs are purchased and posted. They also schedule NBW meetings at least once a year, maintain a current membership roster and map, and distribute Crime Alert Bulletins when provided by the police department. Groups may rotate Block Captain and Alternate responsibilities.

What about the NCW signs?

Every official NBW group must post at least one NBW sign.  The NBW sign acts as a crime deterrent by notifying people who enter the area that the neighborhood is watching and knows how to contact the police.

Communication and meeting topics?

In addition to the telephone rosters and flyers, Email and fax rosters, websites and newsletters have been used by NBW groups as communication tools. While some groups have formal meetings, others prefer to hold social events where crime prevention is the main topic.  However communication is accomplished, most groups focus on safety and crime prevention. The police department is a resource that also offers brochures and videos on topics such as:

    • Personal Safety and Crime Awareness (also see the Police Department's Home Web Page under Safety Tips .

    • Child, Teen and Senior Safety

    • Halloween, Summer and Holiday Safety

    • Scams and Fraud Schemes

To obtain brochures call the Community Services Unit at (860) 594-6233.

What other groups are doing?

Some NBW groups are actively involved in community issues such as:

    • Neighborhood beautification;

    • Traffic safety;

    • Crime prevention;

    • The Town of Newington has Community Service Officers who help community groups and leaders organize to solve problems and improve their neighborhoods.