ABSTRACT
Neighborhood Watch is one of the most effective crime prevention programs in the United States. Neighborhood Watch is an effective crime prevention program because it reduces opportunities for crime to occur, and it does not rely on changing a criminal's behavior or motivation. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are a few of the modes of electronic communication being used by Neighborhood Watch members because of the importance of community members being notified quickly when there is an issue in their neighborhood. Citizen patrols are reported to be increasing in a number of suburban communities and cities across the United States and are seen ideally as performing a relatively simple and narrowly defined role—to deter criminal activity by their presence. The typical citizen patrol is formed in response to a serious incident or heightened level of fear about crime.
