Neighborhood Watch is a police-organized community awareness program in which residents get to know their neighbors and surroundings and learn how to identify and report anything that seems amiss.

Oceanside’s Neighborhood Watch Block Captains Association is one of the largest Neighborhood Watch programs in North San Diego County. For more information about the program or about becoming a team captain, call the Crime Prevention Office at 760-435-4544.

According to Jack Risley (President of Oceanside's Neighborhood Watch Block Captains Association), their goal is to have more positions in the organization so more people will become more involved. They want more contact between police and neighborhoods.

The block captains have been equipped with cellular phones, enabling volunteers to access emergency numbers when needed. These phones were made available through the Communities of Phone Patrol program.

The Neighborhood Watch Block Captains Association meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM at the Library/Police Facility Community Room, 3855 Mission Avenue, Oceanside. The meetings are open to all residents of Oceanside.

Tips on preventing crime in your neighborhood using your Neighborhood Watch program:

• Share Crime Prevention Tips: Discuss ways to improve home and personal safety with your neighbors. Share your schedules.
• Recruit "silent observers": Senior citizens and shut-ins can help by watching for and reporting suspicious activities.
• Organize Your Neighborhood: Contact the Crime Prevention Office for advice and training (760-435-4544).