Improving the Effectiveness and Utilization of Neighborhood Watch Programs, Final Report

• NCJ Number: 111610
• Author(s): J Garofalo; M McLeod
• Date Published: 1987
• Length: 194 pages
• Grant Number(s): 84-IJ-CX-0023
• Agencies: NIJ-Sponsored
• Publication Type: Program/Project Description; Program/Project Evaluation

Annotation

This 1985-1986 study surveyed Neighborhood Watch (NW) programs nationwide and conducted site visits at programs in Virginia, Massachusetts, North Carolina, New Jersey, Michigan, Missouri, Florida, and California in an attempt to improve the effectiveness and utilization of NW.

Abstract

Results indicate that such programs can be effective in reducing crime, particularly burglary. In general, more wide-ranging effects of the programs were not found, largely because NW is a relatively mild crime control intervention. In most jurisdictions, there was a common concern that interest, participation, and activity among participants was weakening. Attempts to revitalize flagging programs involved newsletters, reviving or instituting standards, or boosterism (awards, media coverage, event sponsorship). Overall, results suggest that programs are most effective and most able to maintain participant interest by being flexible and innovative and by integrating crime prevention efforts with other community concerns. Supplemental research materials are appended. 19 tables, 3 footnotes, and 43 references.