SUN CITY – When most people hear the words âneighborhood watch,â the image of a solitary individual, maybe two, working the sidewalks at night with a flashlight, keeping watch, springs to mind. But thanks to a key group of residents, neighborhood watch in Sun City goes beyond citizen police to simply and importantly âNeighbors Helping Neighbors,â which is the motto and namesake of the Neighborhood Watch program here in Sun City.
The Sun City Community Association Management (CAM) founded the Neighborhood Watch committee in 2002 for purposes of touring the community to review safety issues and to make sure properties were in compliance with CAM directives.
âThat was the initial creation. Over the years, we found that … people perceived that there were intrusions [into their lifestyles],â said NW, NHN Treasurer and N.19 resident Jim Belmont.
To veer away from that perception and the committeeâs association with CAM, the NW, NHN associated with the Neighborhood Advisory Council.
âFrom that … we developed Neighbors Helping Neighbors,â Belmont said. âThis committee has evolved into really focusing on the awareness of our neighborsâ well beings and making sure that we assist anywhere we can.â
Such as, Belmont noted, picking up newspapers or mail when someone is out of town, assisting if someone is sick, providing transportation, among other services.
For more information on NW, NHN or how to join the committee contact NW, NHN President Kathie Green at 850-428-0582 or at kathie417@gmail.com. NW, NHN guidelines must be in place and followed to qualify for a NW, NHN program.
In the two years of the programâs redevelopment, the NW, NHN has been urged by the greater community and board of directors to focus on crime prevention and awareness in addition to their other services.
Belmont said that the program is directed to all 41 Sun City neighborhoods. Although, only about seven neighborhoods employ an active Neighborhood Watch, Neighbors Helping Neighbors program and are involved in the committee.
âWeâre really directed now at setting up the guidelines and introducing Neighborhood Watch [to the greater community] so that we can be more aware of possible crime environments, so we can be aware of how to report suspicious activities,â said Belmont. âThatâs where weâre at today.â
NW, NHN Committee Member Gordon Young has established a successful and well-organized program in his neighborhood, N.36, which consists of 174 homes.
Young explained that the neighborhood is divided into 10 sections, each with a dedicated captain and an assistant captain, who are responsible for approximately 17 homes.
Block captains visit homes in their area, introduce themselves, and explain what NW, NHN does, said Young.
According to Youngâs written summary of the NW, NHN program in Neighborhood 36, he states, âWe provide community awareness and promote safety and security information.â
Neighborhood 36âs NW, NHN program also initiated two successful and helpful subprograms called File of Life and an Away Form.
The File of Life is a file of each homeâs occupantsâ medical information, current medications, and contact numbers for family or friends in the event of an emergency. The file is displayed on the homeownersâ refrigerators, where paramedics can easily access them. According to both Young and Belmont, Huntley emergency first responders are aware of the file and know to look for it, if necessary. Young said roughly 99% percent of N.36 homes use a File of Life.
The Away Form is a list of N.36 residents who are away on extended travel. According to Youngâs written summary, knowing what neighbors are away will help in the event of emergencies and allows captains to be on watch for signs of un-occupancy (ie, newspaper piling up) that could invite criminal activity, such as robberies.
Neighborhood 36âs NW, NHN program also keeps a full record of names, phone numbers, and addresses.
Each of these programs, especially the File of Life, and how to use and obtain them, Belmont said, is now included in NW, NHNâs information presentations and material, which they work to present to other neighborhoods.
NW, NHN uses a newsletter, emails, and regular presentations, led by NW, NHN President Kathie Green (N.19), to the Neighborhood Advisory Council meetings to disseminate the information of their program and other safety and awareness material. Starting in the coming weeks, NW, NHN will also post regular updates in the Sun Day.
Fifteen members make up the current NW, NHN Committee. Committee heads are working on gaining commitments from every neighborhood to operate an active NW, NHN program.
Green said that NW, NHN partnered with the Huntley PD to help disseminate Huntley PDâs crime awareness and keep consistent with greater Huntleyâs Neighborhood Watch program. One NW, NHN objective is to place a neighborhood watch sign in each neighborhood, as police statistics show a decline in criminal activities for areas publicly presenting a neighborhood watch program.
âOur basic objectives,â said NW, NHN President Kathie Green, âis to keep everybody safe, everybody informed. Weâre [NW, NHN are] basically there to help you.â