Use this information to get started as a Block Captain and initiate a watch program in your neighborhood.

"The Block Captain is the Cornerstone of Neighborhood Watch."
As Block Captain you represent the block organization and make the Neighborhood Watch Program work Administration and bureaucracy are minimal. Your major responsibility is to coordinate and encourage neighborhood unity and cooperation. Signs may become available and you may wish to have them put up in your neighborhood, but they mean nothing if neighbors don’t take care and watch out for each other.

Initiating the Neighborhood Watch Program
Contact your neighbors and invite those interested over for an informal meeting. At this meeting, the neighbors agree to look out for each other by reporting crime or suspicious behavior that may lead to crime to the Sheriff. Ask them to fill out the sign-up form provided here.

The Neighborhood Watch Captain does not have to forward the names or telephone numbers of the members of his/her watch group to any agency. It is sufficient that neighbors simply share such information with each other. In order to receive information from the Sheriff and to ensure that the Sheriff’s department has information on the location of Neighborhood Watch groups, it will be useful to all concerned if the Block Captain forwards his/her name, address/e-mail and telephone number to the Santa Fe Sheriff’s Department. Do so here.

The Neighborhood Watch Program works with the concept of a "neighbor to neighbor" communication. Neighbors are responsible for knowing their neighbors and how to get in touch with them when necessary. Neighbors are responsible for reporting suspicious activity to their local law enforcement agency. The Block Captain maintains a master list of members of his/her neighborhood watch group using the form provided here.

The major responsibility of the Block Captain is to coordinate and encourage neighborhood unity and participation in the neighborhood watch group. The Block Captain should encourage occasional meetings of his/her neighborhood watch group. The Block Captain should regularly check the Sheriff’s webpage Neighborhood Watch section for security information of interest to the watch group.

Some things that neighbors can do to help their mutual security:

1. Report all evidence of crime and suspicious activity by calling the Sheriff at 986-6260
2. Report crimes in progress or life-threatening situations by calling 9-1-1.
3. At a neighbor’s request pick up mail or newspapers.
4. During snow periods, make “snow tracks” to a neighbor’s house to keep the house looking occupied when the neighbor is away.
5. Work as a group to confront problems in the neighborhood (noise, ATV use, out-of-control animals etc.)
6. Provide assistance as requested by neighborhood watch members within the watch area such as checking the outside of a neighbor’s home when its occupants are away.