Neighborhood Watch Program

The Prince George’s County Police Department offers a Neighborhood Watch Program to the Bowie Community. Neighborhood Watch is a joint effort between the County Police Department and the community to promote mutual assistance among neighbors and to provide increased security within a neighborhood.

Neighborhood Watch Programs help deter crime. Not only are they one of the most effective methods, but they are also one of the least costly ways of reducing crime.

The main objectives of Neighborhood Watch are to reduce the incidence of crime by:

• Increasing the awareness of neighborhood crime through a continuing public information program, including newsletters and community meetings.
• Teaching citizens better ways to secure their property. This includes providing information about security surveillance programs.
• Developing a neighborhood action plan where neighbors become more aware of their neighborhood and help watch each other’s property.
• Encouraging citizens to cooperate with the police by reporting suspicious and criminal activity to the County Police Department.
• Participating in Operation Identification.
  
  To make your neighborhood a Neighborhood Watch Community, the following requirements must be met:

1. Forty percent (40%) of the total number of households in your community must actively participate in the Neighborhood Watch and Operation Identification programs.

The Neighborhood Watch Program consists of:

• Attending a neighborhood meeting.
• Becoming familiar with your neighbors.
• Keeping a watchful eye on your neighbor’s home.
• Immediately reporting any suspicious or criminal activity to the police.

The Operation Identification Program involves:

• Engraving your Maryland Driver’s License Number on valuables.
• Preparing an inventory of your valuables.
• Displaying Operation Identification Decals on your home.

2. Your community must hold three Neighborhood Watch/Crime Prevention meetings conducted by the Police Department within one year.
Upon completion of the Neighborhood Watch Program requirements, communities are eligible to have two free Neighborhood Watch signs posted at the entrances to your community. These signs are a proven deterrent to criminal activities.

To start a Neighborhood Watch Program, please contact the Prince George’s County Police Department at (301) 390-2100.

updated 3/15/04