Community Watch

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Community Watch Groups are the "eyes and ears" of our Police Department.

Community Watch is an important GPD program that enlists the active participation of Greensboro residents to partner with law enforcement and prevent crime in their communities. Our Community Resource Officers support both neighborhoods and apartment communities in the organization and operations of these groups. Citizens serving as a community watch leaders, block captains, or watch members are vital to the success of the department’s crime prevention goals and goals for community partnerships. The information and resources below will help you to find your community resource officer, learn more about the community and apartment watch program, and how to mobilize your neighbors to start a group.

About Community Watch

Community Watch Defined:

Community Watch is a crime prevention program that relies on the active participation of residents, in cooperation with law enforcement, to reduce crime and victimization in their communities. Residents use common sense crime prevention practices and are trained to recognize and report suspicious activity.

Community Watch is NOT:

A vigilante group or residents taking the law into their own hands.
A group of residents pursuing criminals themselves or becoming involved in criminal events.

Getting Started

Understand the purpose and goals of community watch
Understand who is involved and the responsibilities of those involved
Starting the group

Organizing interest
Choosing member roles
Developing a meeting plan
Developing a communication plan

Understand how to maintain a successful community watch

Read our detailed Community Watch Guide here: Community Watch- Guide for Leaders

About Apartment Watch

Apartment Watch Defined:

Apartment Watch is a formal program designed to make apartment complexes safer. It is a partnership between owners of rental developments, property management companies, renters and law enforcement officials --- all working together to improve quality of life for tenants.

Apartment Watch is NOT:

A vigilante group or residents taking the law into their own hands.
A group of residents pursuing criminals themselves or becoming involved in criminal events.

Apartment Watch Defined:

Step 1: Get to know your Community Resource Officer and attend training workshop
Step 2: Get a security survey
Step 3: Include a crime free addendum in your lease
Step 4: Develop a plan to promote and maintain the apartment watch

Read our detailed Apartment Watch Guide here: Apartment Watch- Guide For Leaders

Apartment Watch is an agreement between the property management company and the Greensboro Police Department. Apartment Watches will need to complete the Greensboro Apartment Watch Application here: Greensboro Apartment Watch Program Agreement

Find Your Community Resource Officer

Successful community watch and apartment watch groups work together with law enforcement to educate residents on crime prevention practices. Your local Community Resource Officer will act as a guide and resource to your watch group as residents and GPD work toward shared goals of safety and cooperation.