What is Neighborhood Watch?

            Neighborhood Watch is a group of concerned citizens fulfilling their responsibilities to insure a safe community in which to live by observing and reporting to the police any criminal or suspicious activities in his or her neighborhood.  Neighborhood Watch is also known as Block Watch, Town Watch or Crime Watch.

Why is a Neighborhood Watch Program needed?

            Police officers and patrol cars cannot prevent or deter all of the burglaries and auto thefts in an area.  Burglars and auto thieves are able to detect the presence of police before they are detected by law enforcement.  Neighbors within their homes are able to observe without being observed.  This is why a neighborhood that works together can make the difference between being safe and secure or living in constant fear.

How can this program help me?

            We, here at the police department are greatly concerned about the crime occurring in your residential areas, since you, the taxpaying citizens of St. Peters, are the ones who suffer.

            When residential burglaries occur, the citizen suffers from the loss of property and valuables; along with dealing with the despair of having a home ransacked, frequently with excessive property damage.  An experience like this causes a feeling of helplessness to the citizen.  While the crime of auto theft is not necessarily as personal as a home burglary, it is still a traumatic experience just the same.  When our vehicles are stolen, we usually suffer a monetary loss as well as a considerable inconvenience.  Actually, we all suffer some monetary loss regardless of whether or not we are victims by means of increased premiums for insurance coverage.

How can I help?

            We in police work feel some of these residential crimes can be prevented, others deterred.  We further feel more criminals can be apprehended for the commission of their crimes and that more stolen property can be returned to the lawful owners.  However, we do need your help in order to accomplish this.  Remember, you can more effectively evaluate what is considered normal for your neighborhood than the police officer.

 ST. PETERS POLICE DEPARTMENT