Neighbors helping neighbors

SUN CITY – When most people hear the words “neighborhood watch,” 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 “Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” 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.

“That was the initial creation. Over the years, we found that … people perceived that there were intrusions [into their lifestyles],” said NW, NHN Treasurer and N.19 resident Jim Belmont.

To veer away from that perception and the committee’s association with CAM, the NW, NHN associated with the Neighborhood Advisory Council.

“From that … we developed Neighbors Helping Neighbors,” Belmont said. “This committee has evolved into really focusing on the awareness of our neighbors’ well beings and making sure that we assist anywhere we can.”

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.

In the two years of the program’s 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.

“We’re 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,” said Belmont. “That’s where we’re at today.”

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 Young’s written summary of the NW, NHN program in Neighborhood 36, he states, “We provide community awareness and promote safety and security information.”

Neighborhood 36’s 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 home’s occupants’ medical information, current medications, and contact numbers for family or friends in the event of an emergency. The file is displayed on the homeowners’ 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 Young’s 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 36’s 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, NHN’s 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 PD’s crime awareness and keep consistent with greater Huntley’s 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.

“Our basic objectives,” said NW, NHN President Kathie Green, “is to keep everybody safe, everybody informed. We’re [NW, NHN are] basically there to help you.”

---