Brooks of Hickory Hollow Community Association

Neighborhood Watch Program

Return to the main page

Click here for a Book about How The Neighborhood Watch Works that can be Printed out.


Question: What is Neighborhood Watch and who is involved in it?
1) Neighborhood Watch or Block Watch is a Crime Prevention Program.
2) It is an active partnership between the Louisville Metro Police Department and area residents to reduce the incidence of fear and crime in their neighborhoods.

Question: What is the value in having a Neighborhood Watch where I live?
1) Neighborhood Watch is a national program and is the most effective means available for keeping crime out of neighborhoods. It relies on the best crime fighting tool ever invented, a good neighbor. Fortunately, good neighbors are found everywhere. They live in houses, apartment buildings, urban, suburban and rural areas.
2) The greatest thing about Neighborhood Watch is that it encourages neighbors to get to know each other and it makes them aware of their surroundings. When unusual activity is detected neighbors will report it to the police so it can be investigated.
3) A Resource Officer will educate neighbors in crime reporting and suspect identification techniques; making homes more secure; properly identifying personal property; and reducing the risk of being victimized in public areas. These crime prevention strategies can be used as tools to reduce crime in their communities.
4) Neighborhood Watch members place stickers in their windows and post signs on streets warning criminals they are in an active Neighborhood Watch community, and that “neighbors are watching out for each other.”

 Question: When is the best time to start a Neighborhood Watch?
1) The best time to start a Neighborhood Watch is before an incident occurs. Normally, Neighborhood Watch is started after an incident. The community has the primary responsibility for fighting crime. The most effective approach is stopping crime before it occurs.
2) With Neighborhood Watch the community is empowered because together with the police, people can set the standards for tolerance in their neighborhoods.

 Question: What does it take to get a Neighborhood Watch started in my neighborhood?
1) The Louisville Metro Police Department will assist in starting a Neighborhood Watch in your neighborhood.
2) Call 574-LMPD (5673), the crime tip hotline to get started. The community outreach coordinator will be happy to talk to you about starting a Neighborhood Watch and send you program material to review.
3) Once you review the material talk to your neighbors. Are your neighbors interested? Are they aware of or concerned about specific crime problems in your area?
4) Coordinate the formation of your Neighborhood Watch with your police division and invite your neighbors to their first meeting.
5) A Division Resource Officer will attend your first meeting to assist with the initial organization of the Neighborhood Watch, address and provide information on crime concerns specific to your neighborhood or community, and instruct members on home security and crime reporting skills.
6) The Neighborhood Watch belongs to you so you must elect officers. Choose a captain and co-captain at your first or second organizational meeting and set regular meetings for your Watch group throughout the year. Review the program material with the members as you recruit them.
7) A Division Resource Officer can attend future meetings to answer questions about crime, address neighborhood concerns, quality of life issues and provide information about police procedures.

 Question: What is the crime tip hotline, 574-LMPD (5673)?
With the 574-LMPD crime tip hotline every citizen is given the opportunity to make their community a safer place to live. Citizens are encouraged to call the crime tip hotline to provide information about a crime or criminal activity.  Operators are available to receive calls 24 hours a day 7 days a week. The caller may remain anonymous. For those who want to write and tell the police what is going on in their neighborhood Quick Tip cards are available to complete and drop in any mailbox.

 Question: What can I do to keep crime away?
Be more vigilant! If you see a stranger on your street or in your complex, call the police. If the person looks like they don't belong in the neighborhood or on the street based on some of the activities described below, don't ignore it. Get a description of the person so when you call the police they can identify the person. Don't worry that you are going to bother the police by calling about something that isn't a problem. Leave the situation up to them.

 Question: What kinds of activities should I look for?
1) Persons loitering around schools, parks, secluded areas or in the neighborhood may be dangerous.
2) Someone looking in windows of houses and parked cars.
3) Open or broken windows at a closed business or residence whose owners are absent may mean a burglary in progress or already completed.
4) Someone screaming or shouting for help.
5) Property being taken out of houses where no one is at home or from closed businesses.
6) Cars, vans, or trucks moving slowly with no apparent destination or without lights. Occupants may be "casing" for places to rob or burglarize, or could be drug pushers or sex offenders.
7) Anyone being forced into a vehicle or a stranger sitting in a car or stopping to talk to a child.
8) Parked, occupied vehicles containing one or more persons is especially significant if observed at an unusual hour. They could be lookouts for a crime in progress.
9) Talk about concerns and problems with your neighbors.

 Reminders for You and Your Neighbors

1) Keep lawn equipment and other valuables in a secure area. Mark valuables so that if something is stolen it can be identified when found. A lot of items are recovered at pawn shops.
2) Inspect doors, garages and windows to make sure they are secured properly and with good locks. Garages doors should be closed when not in use and secured overnight.
3) Remove valuables from vehicles overnight even when they are parked in the driveway.
4) Are homes in need of additional exterior lighting? Check all lights to make sure they work. All globes should be clean and unbroken. Driveways, front yards, garage doors and residence numbers should be lit. Motion sensor lights can be used in the front and back of the home. Street lights should be spaced properly and not have anything blocking them. Timers may be used with interior lamps.
5) Leave a radio or television plugged into a timer when away from the house to confuse a possible intruder with the noise.

See suspicious activity or was your home or auto broken into or vandalized? Let your neighbors know!

 Question: Who do I call when something happens?
Emergency                                                        9-1-1
Dispatch                                                            574-7111 (Urban) or 574-2111 (Suburban)
Crime Tip Line & Neighborhood Watch            574-LMPD (5673)
Report by phone                                               574-4661


Division Resource Officer’s

First Division                                                     574-7167              Fifth Division                       574-7636
Second Division                                                574-2478              Sixth Division                      574-2178
Third Division                                                   574-2135              Seventh Division                  574-2133
Fourth Division                                                 574-7010              Eighth Division                    574-2258
MetroCall                                                         311 or 574-5000     

Louisville Metro Police Department

Division of Community Relations, 709 Fairdale Road, Louisville, KY  40118

502-574-LMPD (5673) Crime Tip Line & Neighborhood Watch   502-361-1336 FAX


Return to the main page

Experiencing a problem with this site? 
Email the webmaster

This site created by former board member Bob Burns and currently maintained
by Tony Newell of the Brooks of Hickory Hollow Community Association