The purpose of the Neighborhood Watch program is to create an alert neighborhood by using simple crime prevention methods. The program works through the mutual aid of neighbors watching the property of other neighbors and reporting suspicious activity to police.
Neighborhood Watch is one of the oldest and best-known crime prevention concepts in North America. In the late 1960s, an increase in crime heightened the need for a crime prevention initiative focused on residential areas and involving local citizens.
The National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) responded, creating the National Neighborhood Watch Program in 1972 to assist citizens and law enforcement.
Massena's Neighborhood Watch was launched in the summer of 2009 when more than 50 community residents came together to develop a program that would make our community an even safer place to live. Even though our village has an exceptionally low crime rate compared to national statistics, the founding members of Massena's Neighborhood Watch believe that even one crime is too many. We believe that, by just watching out for our neighbors, we can create even safer neighborhoods and a better community.