Frequently Asked Questions

Neighborhood Watch is a Crime Prevention Program that involves a group of residents living in the same area who want to make their neighborhood safer by working in conjunction with law enforcement to reduce crime and improve their quality of life.

Yes, Neighborhood Watch has proven to be an effective program made successful by its participants.

A reduction in crime, a better quality of life, a greater sense of security, responsibility, and personal control, it helps build community pride, prepares residents to help others and themselves in their community, provides law enforcement agencies with volunteer support year round by being an extra set of eyes and ears for the South Gate Police Department.

Anyone who lives in the city of South Gate can participate whether they live in an apartment complex, condominium complex, townhouse, or single family home.

Yes, any member of a participating household is considered part of the Neighborhood Watch. However, some activities are only appropriate for adults.

Residents interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch group would need to contact the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator at 323-563-5465. Contact neighbors and find out what is the best time for them to meet. Schedule the meeting and distribute flyers 7-10 days prior, inviting neighbors to the Neighborhood Watch meeting.

A major function of Neighborhood Watch is for neighbors to keep an eye on each other's homes and watch for suspicious criminal activity. Therefore, you do not want your Neighborhood Watch group to be bigger than what would allow the watch group to be effective. An average city block is about the right size for a Neighborhood Watch group.

We encourage members of a Neighborhood Watch group to live on the same street being that each block has different issues or concerns regarding their area. It also makes it easier for residents to lookout for each other.

Neighborhood Watch requires a minimum amount of time. Residents are asked to participate in Neighborhood Watch meetings and other activities which include Street Beautification projects, Potlucks to get to know neighbors, etc.

Meetings usually last 1-2 hours depending on the topic that is being discussed and / or questions that are being asked.

The first meeting will consist of an introduction to the Neighborhood Watch. Residents will have an opportunity to share concerns and ask questions regarding the program. Future meeting topics will be based on what the residents would like to discuss or learn about. If there is a specific topic residents would like to learn about or obtain more information on, the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator can provide resources and if possible, obtain a guest speaker. After the first meeting, it will be up to the Block Captain and neighbors to schedule and coordinate future meetings. It is the responsibility of the individual Neighborhood Watch groups to keep the program active.

Meetings can be but are not limited to the following topics: Concerns or Issues happening in the neighborhood, Personal Safety, Home Safety, Observing & Reporting Suspicious Activity, Gang Awareness, Drug / Narcotics Awareness, Identity Theft / Fraud, Sexual Assault / Sex Offenders, Domestic Violence, Emergency Preparedness, Community Policing, Traffic and Internet Crimes. Meetings can also consist of potlucks or barbecues to give residents the opportunity to get to know each other as well as Neighborhood Beautification projects that help bring the community together.

Will sustain the effort.

Gets along with people and listens constructively.

Uses good communication and negotiating skills.

Will delegate tasks.

Conducts meetings effectively and efficiently.

Has a long-range vision of neighborhood and community improvement.

Embraces the position as a civic duty.

Block Captains and Alternates are liaisons between the Neighborhood Watch group and the police department. They schedule Neighborhood Watch meetings, maintain a current membership roster, and distribute flyers or other information to the community.

Neighborhood Watch groups communicate through telephone rosters, flyers, emails, cell phones, and text messages.