Neighborhood Watch Program
What is the Hayward Neighborhood Watch Program?
Neighbors will get to know each other through meetings and neighborhood functions such as National Night Out and block parties.
How do I start a Neighborhood Watch Program?
Starting a neighborhood Watch group is easy...and it begins with talking to your neighbors. Get together with neighbors from your community who share a common interest in looking out for one another and reducing the crime occurring in your area.
Once enough interest has been generated, coordinate a convenient time and place to host a neighborhood watch meeting for all to attend. The location should be in a large enough space to hold everyone comfortably, such as a nearby community center, church, or even someone's home. *Mid-week is generally the most convenient for everyone, with meetings lasting between 1-1 1/2 hours. Time of day can vary but we've found most meetings held after 5pm (regular buisness hours) allow more residents to attend.
The next step is to contact your Crime Prevention Specialist assigned to your area to coordinate everyone's availability and set the date to meet!
What happens at the first meeting?
The District Operations Unit for the Hayward Police Department will facilitate the meeting, along with patrol officers assigned to your Beat (neighborhood). We will conduct a presentation and address any concerns you and your neighbors have been experiencing. This initial meeting is meant to begin a partnership between your community and the police department. We will answer any questions you have about the program, becoming a Block Captain for your group, and provide crime prevention information/pamphlets/resources at the meeting.
After the meeting, your community should establish a form of communication that works best for your group, i.e. group text thread, email group, phone calls, etc.. You will also want to discuss who may be interested in being the voice9s) for your Neighborhood Watch Group. Multiple people can share this responsibility, if desired. This person/people will be known as the "Block Captain(s)."
What is a Block Captain?
A Block Captain is a leader of their Neighborhood Watch Group. Their responsibilities include being your direct point of contact to the Hayward Police Department for any community issues or concerns, setting up and facilitating future meetings with your group, and coordinating block parties such as for National Night Out. Future meetings can even include guest speakers, instructors, or businesses that can present topics that are beneficial to you and your neighbors.
While our unit initially helps to coordinate and establish Neighborhood Watch Groups, the purpose of the program is to provide the tools and resources to community members so that they are equipped to run the group on their own through its community members, including scheduling future Neighborhood Watch Meetings.
Once a Block Captain candidate has been identified or shown interset, that individual will need to submit a Block Captain application to the Hayward Police Department. The application is required and will accompany an interview, background check, and fingerprint clearance.
All new Block Captain's will be required to attend a one-day Block Captain Symposium as well as our Community Academy. Community Academies are usually held once a year for a one day a week, eight-week course. The academy is FREE to attend.
This year, our Community Academy is scheduled to begin in September and will conclude by the end of October. If your community already has a Neighborhood Watch Group with a Block Captain who has already attended the Community Academy, we encourage them to take the course again as a "refresher."
If you're ready to start a Neighborhood Watch Group and would like to set up a date for your first meeting, please contact:
 North District Crime Prevention SpecialistJames Strawser North District Office 22701 Main Street Hayward, CA 94541 (510) 293-7051 |  South District Crime Prevention SpecialistAlicia Romero South District Office 677 W. Tennyson Road Hayward, CA 94544 (510) 293-1043 |
