IMPD encourages residents to establish Neighborhood Watch groups - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Homeowners across the city are learning they can make a huge impact on their neighborhood's safety. Indianapolis Metro Police want people in every neighborhood across the city to step up their game.

The area around 21st and Delaware has seen a rash of break-ins over the past six weeks. Friday morning, a burglar caught in the act suffered a gunshot wound to the arm from the homeowner.

As police investigated another crime in the area Friday, two men had just stolen a 55-inch television from a nearby home. They dropped the TV and ran from officers. Officers later apprehended 20-year-old Anthony Henderson.

Police say a man who arrived home found one of the burglars hiding in his house.

"Came leaping out at him from under a desk. The homeowner had a gun on him and fired four or five times, and the subject ran out. Turns out he ran here to 2210 North New Jersey. This is where we found him. He was shot in the arm," said Sgt. Jack Simpson, IMPD.

Police say that homeowner likely carried a gun because the whole neighborhood has been on alert after a half-dozen burglaries in the area. While a gun can make some feel secure, the best bet to preventing break-ins may be nosy neighbors.

"Knowing your neighbors, the good and the bad, who is a permanent resident and who is a temporary resident," said Gerardo Becerra, CrimeWatch coordinator.

Some CrimeWatch programs are putting people on alert on how would-be burglars may be casing their homes.

Bob Kessing and his CrimeWatch neighbors in the Meridian Kessler area have circulated emails about suspicious people going door to door.

"Some of those folks might be asking about some mentoring and points for that and contributions," said Kessing.

Kessing says since police can't be everywhere, it's up to residents to make sure burglars don't have easy pickings.

"Keep the doors locked , lock the bikes, lock the cars," he advised.

How to set up a Neighborhood Watch on your block

Metro Police are urging residents to work with officers to set up Neighborhood Watch groups if one does not already exist in their area. Police do not want residents to become vigilantes. But they do say that alert residents can be a huge help to police by observing and reporting suspicious activity.

A block club usually consists of no more than 30 homes facing each other. If you're interested in starting one, you'll need to identify that target area and check with your neighbors to see if there's interest.

Next, you'll need to contact the CrimeWatch specialist and schedule your first meeting. The first meeting will include a discussion on the Neighborhood Watch concept, basic home security and observing and reporting procedures. It lasts about an hour.

The second meeting will include a visit from a Crime Prevention officer who will help your group define district boundaries, discuss area crime trends and marking property.

Each block club needs a captain, victim assistant and hospitality person.

2012 Task Force meetings - North District

Neighborhood CrimeWatch Block Club - How to set one up, and guidelines.