Are Neighborhood Watch Programs That Effective - 1699 Words

In the wee hours of the night while everyone is asleep a burglar breaks into your home. Your next door neighbor is in a good position to call the local authorities to aid in your assistance. They are the ones would more than likely be able to see any intruders or any type of suspicious activity. It is slim to none that the police will catch this activity. This fact alone is what has made neighborhood watch programs so well-liked within the last couple decades. Due to participation in neighborhood watch programs the numbers has almost doubled over the past decade according to the crime survey that was taken in the UK. Regardless of the large number of neighborhood watch programs, there still has not been a drastic reduction in the crime rates. This poses the question: Are neighborhood watch programs that effective? In order to answer this, I have considered the history of this program, how these programs are meant to work and the social theory supporting neighborhood watch programs al ong with reviewing statistics regarding these programs. History According to the Washington Post, In the 1960s the official Neighborhood Watch Program began as a reply to a case where a lady, Kitty Genovese, was sexually assaulted while onlookers watched and did nothing to help. However, the neighborhood-watch concept goes as far back as the sixteenth century (colonial settlement). Back then Night watchmen would walk the streets late at night to ensure the safety of the town. Due to residentsShow MoreRelatedCrime Prevention Programs Help Protect And Deter Crime Within Neighborhoods1219 Words   |  5 PagesCrime prevention programs help to prevent and deter crime within neighborhoods by getting the neighbors involved. 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