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1. How do you start?

Contact your neighbors and ask them if they are interested in setting up a Neighborhood Crime Watch Group and ask them for their support and participation in this program. Set up a date and a time for your meetings. Most meetings take place Monday through Thursday in the evening. Often residents have meetings in their home, yard, or a nearby park. The Crime Prevention Officer also has access to different meeting areas in the city. Contact the Crime Prevention Officer to arrange for a meeting by calling 763-421-2971.

2. How formal is this organization?

You will need to choose a block captain and an alternate block captain and keep a list of member households.

3. Will this be very time consuming?

No, Neighborhood Watch Groups need to meet only two times per year. The Crime Prevention Officer will attend these meetings. The meetings usually last from 1 to 1 and a half hours.

4. Do the meetings need to be specific Neighborhood Watch program meetings?

No. We encourage block parties, picnics, Christmas parties, Halloween parties, etc. Just remind the attendees about the Crime Prevention goal of the Watch group.

5. What kinds of programs can be conducted for watch groups?

Just about anything. Home security, personal safety, bicycle safety, drug awareness, stranger danger, fire prevention, etc. If you have an area of particular interest, contact the Crime Prevention Officer.

6. What are the advantages of a watch group?

• First, you'll get to know your neighbors better. With everyone watching the neighborhood for suspicious situations and potential criminals, your neighborhood will automatically become a safer place.
• It is easy for the police to get timely information to citizens through Watch groups. We can contact one person and reach many. 
• The Crime Prevention Officer also brings along a "grid" report showing the recent crime activity in your area.
• Watch groups help the police help you by getting information to us in a timely manner. There are only so many police officers and we need group ears and eyes to do our job.
• Neighborhood Watch takes only a small commitment from you. A commitment to oppose crime in your neighborhood by cooperating with neighbors to watch your area and let the police know what is going on.
• By working together we can keep Champlin a very safe place to live. Contact the Champlin Police Department by calling 763-421-2971.