Zilker’s Neighborhood Watch Program

 Neighborhood Watch (NW) Programs tend to be cyclical in nature. An increase in crime will spur neighbors to become more active in their local NW Program. This level of activity and participation may wane over time, particularly if the incidents of crime decrease. Zilker is currently experiencing a lessened level of participation in our NW Program.

The traditional approach to Neighborhood Watch is based on car patrols and the formation of NW Pods. These are proven methods of neighborhood crime deterrence activities that rely heavily on volunteers for leadership, organization and participation.

In the absence of volunteers to support this traditional NW approach, the Zilker Neighborhood Association’s (ZNA) Executive Committee offered to support Zilker’s NW Program through the utilization of existing ZNA/Neighborhood tools e.g. the ZNA web site, ZNews and the Zilker Yahoo! Group.

The newly redesigned NW page on the ZNA web site provides a repository for NW documentation, a description of NW and a place where updates on Zilker’s NW activities will be posted. These pages will help to educate neighbors in ways to better protect their homes and what to do if they see suspicious activity. Anyone interested in volunteering for the NW Program will be able to contact a NW volunteer from this site. 

Everyone is encouraged to utilize our Zilker Yahoo Group to report suspicious persons or vehicles. Members of ZNA’s Executive Committee will monitor the posts and remind posters to contact APD. There are already many neighbors who utilize this Zilker Group list in this fashion including regular postings of reported incidents of crime in our neighborhood.

The ZNA Executive Committee sponsored the ‘Adopt a Neighborhood Watch Sign’ campaign and donated funds in addition to funds raised from Zilker neighbors to replace some of the existing NW signs that had deteriorated. Funds were also raised to add new NW signs at key entry points into the neighborhood. Replacing these faded, rusted or graffiti tagged signs will present a more positive image of our neighborhood’s commitment to the NW Program. Adding new NW signs to key entry points will let the ‘bad guys’ know that we are neighbors looking after each other.

According to the Austin Police Department, an essential element to a successful Neighborhood Watch (NW) Program is visibility. Visibility is usually accomplished in two ways, by the presence of NW street signs and by volunteers who patrol sporting the familiar NW signs and T-shirts. The ZNA Executive Committee provided T-shirts to the volunteers who deliver the ZNews newsletters. There are magnetic signs available for sharing for anyone who is interested in volunteering for car patrols.

All of the crime fighting experts agree upon the importance of getting to know your neighbors and watching out for each other. Keeping your eyes open for suspicious activity and reporting that activity immediately is one of the best crime fighting tools.

If you are interested in learning more about or volunteering for Zilker’s NW Program click here to contact a NW volunteer.