History of the
Neighborhood Crime Watch Program

The Neighborhood Crime Watch Program began in England in the 1960’s and migrated to the United States in the early 1970’s.  The nation’s first Neighborhood Watch program was established in Philadelphia, PA.   Nationally, the program is administered by the National Sheriff’s Association.  Other affiliate organizations include the National Crime Prevention Counsel and, after 9/11, it became one of the components of President Bush’s Citizen Corps.  Today, nearly all police and sheriff’s departments across the U.S., both large and small, offer their citizens the Neighborhood Crime Watch Program.

Over the years, the basic principals of crime prevention inspired many spin-off programs such as Aircraft Watch, Harbor Watch, Park Watch and others.

In Anchorage, the Neighborhood Watch Program was started in 1980 with funding from the Anchorage Women’s Club.   Former APD Chief of Police, Walt Monegan, now Alaska State Commissioner of Public Safety, headed up the Neighborhood Watch Program while he was a Sergeant with the Anchorage Police Department. 

Today there are over 80 active Neighborhood Crime Watch Neighborhoods within the Municipality of Anchorage.  Each neighborhood is different and has unique issues.  To qualify for a Neighborhood Watch sign, at least fifty percent of the homes involved must complete Operation ID, the program’s sole requirement.  To start a Neighborhood Crime Watch program, call 786-8585.