Getting the neighbors together to form a neighborhood watch isn’t just a way to bring some added peace and security to the area. It can also be a way to foster community togetherness.

The National Sheriff’s Association, which founded the National Neighborhood Watch Program in 1972 as a way of involving citizens in crime prevention efforts, says in its official manual that neighborhood watch groups are a way of improving the community in general. In addition to learning about home security and disaster preparedness, participants can get to know their neighbors better and work together on projects such as neighborhood beautification efforts.

To start a neighborhood watch, you need to get as many neighbors as possible involved in the effort. Go door to door or send out letters, flyers, e-mails, or social media messages to let people know about the idea. Collect any concerns people have about neighborhood safety.

Alternatively, you can start with a small meeting of interested people. The National Crime Prevention Council says this group can form the core of the neighborhood watch effort, identifying potential issues. You can also post notices about the meeting so that other people in the neighborhood can attend.

Once you have started to organize the group, call your local police department and ask them to send a representative to a meeting. A police officer can provide information and training, serve as a liaison to the group, and keep you informed about any public safety issues in the neighborhood.

The early meetings should organize the group so that its communication methods and goals are clear. Choose a block captain who will be active in communicating with the police and watch members, organizing trainings and other events, and letting members know about any recent crimes or other concerns.

Create a list of contacts as well as a map showing where each neighborhood watch member lives; make sure each member has a copy. By knowing the routines of your neighbors, you’ll be more likely to identify any suspicious behavior at their home.

The National Sheriff’s Association says neighborhood watch groups with a lack of focus will be less effective, so you should choose three issues of particular concern to start with. Once these have been identified, develop strategies and an action plan to try to resolve them.

Meetings should be held on a regular basis at a time which is convenient for as many members as possible. Depending on how active the group is, you might meet once a week or once a month.

The block captain should regularly check with the police department to get information about any crime in your neighborhood. They can accomplish this task by checking arrest logs and police activity reports or communicating with their police liaison. The National Crime Prevention Council says it is also important for the block captain to get accurate information and inform members quickly to quash any false rumors about incidents in the neighborhood.

Law enforcement officials can provide training on a number of crime prevention topics. These might include personal and home defense, identifying suspicious behavior, and establishing civilian patrols. Topics can also extend to general wellness issues such as first aid, providing assistance at an accident scene, defensive driving, and drug abuse.

The group’s activities can include beautification efforts to clean up vacant lots, since the National Crime Prevention Council says such areas can help contribute to crime. You can also take part in events such as National Night Out or community potlucks.

The police department of Southbury, Connecticut, says neighborhood watch groups can be essential in keeping law enforcement aware of issues in a neighborhood. This connection with the police will allow law enforcement to address problems before they get out of hand.

At the same time, the Southbury Police Department says members should not expect a neighborhood watch group to be a guarantee that crime will not occur in the neighborhood. The department also says the group should not engage in vigilantism or otherwise put its members at personal risk in an effort to deter crime.