Partners Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice National Sheriffs’ Association

Neighborhood Watch Community Training

Course Objectives To provide an overview of the planning process To help participants begin identifying their neighborhood issues or concerns To teach participants how to write goals, objectives, and action steps

Strategic Planning Steps Vision Mission Assessment Action Planning (Goals, Objective and Steps) Evaluation

Benefits of Strategic Planning Goal ownership Sense of pride and achievement Satisfaction in being a part of the team Sense of direction for the group

Vision A vision is an expression of the standards you want to see implemented in your neighborhood.

Activity #1:Vision Imagine it is ten years from now. Looking into a crystal ball, you can see everything about your neighborhood - what it looks like, how it operates and how the people function. Let’s take a few minutes to look at your neighborhood.

Mission Statement The mission is the bridge between the vision and the goals. It is a statement as to how the group will “conduct its business”.

Mission Statement Components Identity BeliefAction Mission

Activity #2: Mission Statement Use your Mission Statement Worksheet to record the vision you created. Then write your Mission Statement.

Neighborhood Assessment The purpose of assessment is to identify conditions in a neighborhood that contribute to its vulnerability to crime and other problems.

Neighborhood Assessment Resources ObstaclesPriorities Risks

Assessment Data Sources Neighborhood Observations Police Reports –Arrest and Incident Reports –Service Calls Other Data –School –Community

Risks to Your Neighborhood What type of risks do neighborhoods experience? Theft Property Damage Graffiti Break-ins Drug Use Other

Neighborhood Resources Resources include: Financial Personnel Materials Training Organizations

Obstacles There are different obstacles that can affect your plans: Funding Time Lack of support from neighbors Readiness issues

Priorities It is important that you set priorities when developing your action plan. What are the most serious issues you face in your neighborhood or community?

Activity #3: Neighborhood Assessment Let’s take a closer look at your neighborhood. What do you view as being the risks, resources, obstacles and priorities?

Action Plan The action plan is the foundation. A group without a plan is similar to a driver taking a trip without a map.

Action Plan Process Step 1: GOALS Step 2: OBJECTIVES Step 3: ACTION STEPS Step 4: EVALUATION

Goals Broad statements of intent, generally one to three years in duration. Goals are the targets toward which you are working. Example: To strengthen community involvement.

Characteristics of Effective Goals Goals should : Be optimistic and positive Include demand for action and planning Be clearly written in easy-to-understand language

Objectives Specific short-term outcomes (usually six months to one year) necessary to ensure movement towards stated goals Example: To increase the level of participation in community crime prevention activities by 25 percent in 2005.

Characteristics of Effective Objectives Action-oriented Specific Time-limited Quantifiable Realistic

Action Steps Specific and tangible actions or steps which need to be accomplished in order to successfully implement objectives.

Characteristics of Effective Action Steps Who What WhenHow Where Action Steps

Evaluation Determines success or progress Determines if goals and objectives continue to align with group’s vision and mission Provides opportunity to seek continual improvement

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