Neighborhood Watch

Neighborhood Watch is a group of neighbors looking out for neighbors. It is getting to know each other and becoming familiar with your neighbors' habits and vehicles so that you will know when something is suspicious or out of the ordinary. In addition to recognizing potential suspicious activities, Neighborhood Watch participants report such activity by calling 911.

All of this doesn't make you a nosy neighbor, it makes you a good neighbor in the old-fashioned sense of the phrase. Many people don't want to bother the police because they are afraid that it may not be a real emergency or that they may be embarrassed if their suspicions turn out to be unfounded. The police would much rather be called out to investigate than to be called after a crime has been committed. Neighborhood Watch does not mean being a vigilante. Participants do not confront suspects or take any personal risks at all.

Dispatch

When in doubt, always call your police department. The Lake Saint Louis Police dispatch center is staffed with trained operators who will evaluate your call, rank its priority, and dispatch it to the appropriate officer. 

How to Be a Neighborhood Watch Participant

This program doesn't take a lot of time or money.  If you are interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch, contact Officer Susie Ochs,  at 636-625-7960 or sochs@lakesaintlouis.com. If a group is already active in your neighborhood, contact your Block Captain or area Chairperson to find out specifically what Neighborhood Watch can do for you and what you can do for your community.

Benefits of Neighborhood Watch:

  • You will be more aware of the types of crimes in your area and how to prevent them from happening to you.
  • You will learn about crime prevention techniques to make your family, property, and neighborhood safer.
  • You and your family will feel safer, which may be almost as important as actually being safe!
  • You will meet more neighbors and develop new friendships.
  • Your will have neighbors who will look out for your property when you are away and vice versa.
  • You will have a sense of accomplishment from doing something about crime.