Neighborhood watch - Definition and Overview

A neighborhood watch is a citizens' organization devoted to crime and vandalism prevention within a neighborhood. It is not a vigilante organization, since members are expected not to directly intervene in possible criminal activity. Instead, neighborhood watch members are to stay alert to unusual activity and contact the authorities.

History

The current system of neighborhood watches began developing as a response to the rape and murder of Kitty Genovese in Queens, New York. People became outraged that three dozen witnesses did nothing to save Genovese or to apprehend her killer. Some locals formed groups to watch over their neighborhoods and to look out for any suspicious activity in their areas.

Neighbourhood Watch (short story) is also a short story by Greg Egan