Is Somebody Watching Me?

Neighborhood Watch is undoubtedly one of the oldest and most well-known crime prevention programs in history. While the modern day concept of program rose to prominence in the late 1960s in response to an increasing burglary rate.

The modern version of the Neighborhood Watch Program was developed as a result of the multiple requests from sheriffs and police chiefs around the country who were looking for a crime prevention program that would incorporate citizen involvement and address the increasing number of burglaries taking place, especially in rural and suburban areas. In 1972, the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) took the concept a step further by seeking funding to make the program a national initiative. Thanks to a grant from the Law Enforcement Assistance Administration, the National Neighborhood Watch Program was started.

In 2002, the National Sheriffs' Association in cooperation with USA Freedom Corps, Citizen Corps and the U.S. Department of Justice launched USAonWatch, now renamed National Neighborhood Watch to expand the National Neighborhood Watch initiative beyond its original crime prevention role to assisting and preparing neighborhoods for disasters and with emergency response.