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o The Neighborhood Watch Approach <br />Neighborhood Watch is one of the most effective and least costly responses to crime. <br />The success of block watches is based on the assumption that people in an area are more <br />immediately aware of suspicious activity than the police. A block watch involves neigh- <br />borhood phone trees, meetings, and education. Neighbors report any suspicious activity <br />in the area by calling local emergency numbers. In addition, they call two neighbors on <br />a specified phone tree who also call authorities. The criminal activity is reported by <br />more than one resident to ensure prompt police action and provide "safety in numbers ". <br />An important component of any block watch is the distinctive "neighborhood watch" sign <br />that is prominently displayed in the neighborhood to alert criminals or troublemakers <br />that the neighborhood sticks together and reports crimes. <br />Often, block watch meetings involve speakers who offer safety tips on protecting homes, <br />autos, businesses, and personal belongings. Block Watch participants may coordinate <br />public improvement projects to pick up litter, or plant flowers and shrubs, etc. Many <br />Watch groups have not only seen crime reduced, but have discovered that caring about <br />and sharing in the community's well- being - -its image, its streets and parks, its local <br />services, and recreation opportunities - -offer far - reaching rewards. <br />o The Individual Strategies Approach <br />The individual strategies approach seeks to prevent people and property from becoming <br />victims of specific crimes and to reduce opportunities for crime to occur. Its focus is <br />victimization prevention. What the average citizen fears most are threats to self , and <br />family and violations of property. Some examples of programs include: <br />CW o For People <br />-Child Protection Education <br />- Elderly Escort Services <br />- Latchkey Programs <br />-Safe Houses <br />-Self- Protection Classes <br />o For Property <br />- Operation ID <br />- Community Clean -up <br />-Arson Prevention <br />- Anti - Vandalism Campaigns <br />Often, victim assistance programs are coordinated with other programming efforts. <br />These programs are typically made available through the local police department. <br />Jobs and Economic Development <br />o General City Economic Development <br />Programs designed to encourage and facilitate economic development within the Near <br />Westside Neighborhood have been established by the City of South Bend, or are cur - <br />rently available through programs funded and administered at the state or federal level. <br />Incentives available include a wide -range of job and business training programs, tax <br />abatement programs, and loan programs for new construction and infrastructure. These <br />programs are of potential benefit to the neighborhood and City as a whole, and should <br />be promoted aggressively on an ongoing basis. <br />28 <br />