Neighborhood Watch Program

"Neighborhood Watch" was developed in 1972 by the National Sheriff's Association in response to citizens requests for a program to stem burglaries in the United States. The concept evolved from the experiences of local citizens in helping law enforcement fight crime by being more observant and reporting to authorities. Changes in people's lifestyles made neighborhoods less secure and more vulnerable to crime. There were more cases of both the husband and the wife working, transience resulting from job transfers, mobility and freedom provided by the automobile, and popularity of apartment living. In the latter situation, people actually became strangers in their own neighborhoods.

The Ruston Police Department has been active with the Neighborhood Watch program for several years, involving quite a few neighborhoods in our community with the program. Neighborhood Watch involves neighbors getting to know each other and working in a program of mutual assistance. It involves citizens being trained to recognize and report suspicious activities in their neighborhoods.

When a Neighborhood Watch program is started in our community, the Ruston Police Department will provide a regular report on crime in the neighborhood. It will provide information on crime trends which may affect the neighborhood. When possible, it will provide the watch group with handout and other resource materials relating to neighborhood watch and crime. When possible, the Ruston Police will provide a general crime awareness presentation to the Watch group. And it will provide training to residents so they can assess their own security strengths and weaknesses, and then take appropriate measures.

Anyone interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch program in the Ruston community should contact Lieutenant Curtis Hawkins , Ruston Police Public Information and Training Officer. Lieutenant Hawkins can also be reached at 255-4141. Or you can e-mail the Ruston Police Department and we'll be happy to see that he gets your message.

Click Here for information about things you can do
to help protect your home and valuables...

Click Here for additional information about things you can do
to help prevent burglaries while you are away from home...


For more information on things you can do to prevent burglaries
you can contact the Ruston Police Department or the

National Sheriffs' Association
1450 Duke Street
Alexandria, Virginia
703-836-7827

To continue your tour of the Ruston Police Department,
either click the "BACK" button on your browser or
follow one of the links below...

Here are the different divisions of the Ruston Police Department.	Here are some of the different projects and programs that are currently in operation.
Communications Division... Uniform Patrol Division... Criminal Investigations Division... SWAT... K-9's... Juvenile Division... Narcotics Division... Forgery... Bicycle Patrol...	DWI Enforcement Program... Reserve Police Officer Program... Crimestoppers... Personal Safety Tips from McGruff... Employment Opportunities... Law Enforcement Technology...

Back to the start...

Home | Communications | Patrol | Criminal Investigations | SWAT | K-9s | Juvenile Division | Narcotics | Forgery | Bicycle Patrol | Neighborhood Watch | DWI | Reserves | Crimestoppers | Employment Opportunities | Technology | Media Coverage | FAQ | Former Chiefs | Prose & Poetry | Guestbook | Law Enforcement Links

The Ruston Police Department Web Pages were created and maintained by Captain Jim Hilton.
No part of these pages may be copied or otherwise reproduced in any manner without permission.