Neighbourhood Watch

Neighbourhood Watch is a crime prevention program designed to encourage the community to cooperate with the local Gardai in reducing opportunities for crime.

The underlying principal objective is to watch over each other and become good caring neighbours.

We asked some of the community representatives involved in existing Neighbourhood Watch Schemes to explain more:

Why form a Neighbourhood Watch Group?

"We've been lucky as a quiet and small estate not to attract antisocial behaviour. Those living here for a long time make a point of meeting any new neighbours. We had incidents of opportunist theft from cars which triggered neighbourhood concern and on one occasion numerous residents acted quickly to call the Gardai and an arrest was made. It showed we had the makings for an active Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

The tipping point was the targeted theft of a new car last year and the Residents Association formally set up the scheme with the Garda shortly after."

Bailis Downs

"We formed ours to make sure our residents looked out for one another with the idea it would create community spirit in the process."

Athlumney Hall

"We couldn’t raise enough volunteers to set up the formal Neighbourhood watch, so we keep it simple: talk to the neighbours, keep an eye what’s going on in the estate, let other people know, ring the gardai if need..."

Athlumney Wood

Bad news travels further and faster than good news. Rumors and speculation become 'known truths' when enough people repeat it to people who believe it. When this happens we begin to feel threatened and insecure.

The crime statistics for Johnstown are very very low which is good to know but anyone who's been affected by crime will also know that statistics should not make anyone complacent. Leaving you valuables on display or not securing your property leaves you open to crime.

Has the scheme made a difference?

" It's brought us together as a community. We've had very few reasons to communicate issues among ourselves or with the Gardai but when we have it's brought immediate attention to those at risk and we've rapidly become been more alert to activities within the estate.

We've also alerted residents to simple things like house and car alarms going off when they're out. Typically we think these are ignored so we now take an active interest since we expect neighbours to do the same for us. We've also become more of a community looking out for one another."

Bailis Downs

"The scheme definitely made a difference; people are more aware of what’s going on in the estate. They make it obvious to any strange cars or people that they are being watched. Residents don't have a problem calling the guards to report."

Athlumney Hall

"The Residents Association Committee have connected with the official Text Alert and last year I had to report the car they were looking for and we got them to attend very rapidly."

Athlumney Wood

Was it difficult to set up?

"It's time consuming talking to residents from each household and asking them to sign up and participate. There's little point having a Neighbourhood Watch window sticker if the residents don't know what they need to do to make the scheme work.

There were a few misconceptions about what's involved and what it provides but the guide outline is quite clear. Explaining it in person was worthwhile."

Bailis Downs

"The difficult part was just the leg work, getting forms filled, returning to homes who were out etc explaining how it works to each home. Once that was done the scheme itself runs quite well."

Athlumney Hall

So, if the scheme makes a difference, costs nothing except getting residents together and isn't difficult to set up why aren't there more formal groups in Johnstown?

What affects one area has no real boundary so it quickly and easily spreads into neighbouring estates. If more official groups formed with overlapping boundaries and connected together we would have a greater network of safety, support and awareness across all of Johnstown and not just pockets.

Answer these questions:

• Would you notice when a stranger or vehicle lingers a while too long on your road?
• If you see a crime taking place and are willing to report it by calling the Gardai?
• Do you care about the safety of children or vulnerable neighbours within your estate?
• Do you want to feel safer knowing your neighbours are watching out for you?

If you can say Yes to any of these then you need to ask your Residents Group to join the scheme.

The official website for Neighbourhood Watch provides more information.

Remember you have nothing to lose by operating this scheme endorsed by the Garda. It costs nothing, adds value to your home and ultimately increases safety awareness within your neighbourhood.

We're hoping that not only will more schemes form in all the estates of Johnstown but to also host events involving the Community Garda and the Joint Policing Committee to help us to help ourselves not only be safe but feel safer too.

Text Alert

This is different to a Neighbourhood Watch scheme since it's a formal alert system direct from the Garda to Residents. When an incident requires assistance from the public in the local area a message will be sent asking for residents to report sightings or provide information to assist them to catch criminals or prevent further incidents.

The Facebook Page Meath Crime Prevention already provides a similar notification service together with useful advice.

Neighbourhood Alert

This can connect up all the Johnstown Neighbourhood Watch scheme Organisers to a communication network where they can share information relevant to residents in every estate.

NSCU has already formed the basis for this idea by sharing local alerts through their Facebook group but not everyone uses Facebook or sees postings in their news feed.

Using text messages it could enable NW Organisers to instantly forewarn every neighbouring group of any 'reported' criminal or antisocial behaviour. It has the ability to instantly bring awareness to activities but does not replace the need for individuals to contact the Garda first. The local organisers can then decide whether to share it with their groups.

Don't wait for any longer.

Set up Neighbourhood Watch by contacting your Residents Group TODAY.