Q: What is the USA Freedom Corps?
A: The USA Freedom Corps is a White House initiative to increase opportunities for citizens to get involved in strengthening America's communities and sharing America's compassion around the world, through volunteerism. The USA Freedom Corps includes Citizen Corps along with two previously existing federal service organizations, the Peace Corps and the Corporation for National and Community Service.

Q: What is the Citizen Corps?
A: Citizen Corps, a vital component of USA Freedom Corps, was created to help coordinate volunteer activities that will make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. It provides opportunities for people to participate in a range of measures to make their families, their homes, and their communities safer from the treats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds. Citizen Corps is comprised of four programs: Neighborhood Watch (NW) and Volunteers in Police Service (VIPS) in partnership with U.S. Department of Justice, Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) in partnership with Department of Health and Human Services and Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) in partnership with DHS.

Q: What is USAOnWatch (UOW) / Neighborhood Watch (NW)?
A: USAOnWatch (UOW) was created by the National Sheriffs' Association, in conjunction with several well-known federal agencies, to advance this cause by encouraging the initiation and/or revitalization of Neighborhood Watch programs throughout the country. One of the oldest and best known crime prevention concepts in history, Neighborhood Watch was created to unite law enforcement agencies, private organizations, and individual citizens in a massive effort to reduce residential crime. USAOnWatch is used not only to promote NWs, but also record the number of NWs started. We encourage you to learn more about these programs and their history

Q: What is the National Sheriffs' Association role in the USAOnWatch/Neighborhood Watch program?
A: The National Sheriffs' Association is the founder of the UOW/Neighborhood Watch program, serves as the primary contact, and oversees the program. We invite you to learn more about the National Sheriffs' Association online.

Q: Is the National Sheriffs' Association a government agency?
A: No. The National Sheriffs' Association is non-profit organization dedicated to raising the level of professionalism among those in the criminal justice field.

Q: How do I start a Neighborhood Watch?
A: To begin a NW, merely form a small planning committee of neighbors to discuss the needs of your community, gage the level of interest and potential problems, decide on a date and place for an initial Neighborhood Watch meeting, and contact your local police department or sheriff's office, and notify them of your interest to start a NW. You will then be assigned a crime prevention officer who will attend your first meeting. It's that simple. For more information and educational materials related to starting a Neighborhood Watch or to register your Neighborhood Watch in the National Neighborhood Watch Database, click onto the Register / Start Watch on this website.

Q: How do I join a Neighborhood Watch in my community?
A: First, search the National NW database to find your local law enforcement agency, and call to find out if there is a Neighborhood Watch in your neighborhood. If there is a Neighborhood Watch in your neighborhood, simply attend a meeting and sign up to volunteer. If there is not Neighborhood Watch in your neighborhood, talk with your local law enforcement agency about starting a new NW.

Q: What are the criteria for starting a Neighborhood Watch?
A: In order to create a Neighborhood Watch in your community, you must have established a partnership with a law enforcement agency. For information on the criteria for starting a NW, go to the Resource Center on this website.

Q: Who can participate in a Neighborhood Watch?
A: Members of local communities and representatives from businesses, government agencies, and a variety of organizations can participate in a Neighborhood Watch once they have established a partnership with their local law enforcement agency.

Q: Who Trains Neighborhood watch volunteers?
A: A crime prevention officer assigned by your local police department or sheriff's office supplies initial training of volunteers. In addition, you will find all of the materials you will need on starting and operating a Neighborhood Watch on this website.

Q: Where do I obtain materials to start a Neighborhood Watch?
A: Materials that can aid you in starting a Neighborhood Watch can be downloaded from the Resource Center located on this website.

Q: Can businesses or corporations start Neighborhood Watches?
A: Yes. For more details, go to the Resource Center on this Website and download the brochure on Starting a Business Watch. If your company is interested in becoming a corporate partner, the Outreach Program section on this site includes information on Corporate Initiatives for Community Safety. You may also contact the National Sheriffs' Association at (703) 836-7827 or email Info@USAOnWatch.org.

Q: Can I reproduce textual materials I find on USAOnWatch.org?
A:

• Yes, as long as you are distributing these materials in a medium other than the Web. You are welcome to use these materials in handouts or newsletters, for example. The following rules apply to reproduction of USAOnWatch materials: Text must not be altered.
• Attribution of the authors of the text must be given.
• Information about where additional materials can be obtained must be provided.

Q: Is there a Neighborhood Watch National Awards program?
A: Yes. A description of our Awards Program, including guidelines for entering, are available on this Website.

Q: How can I link to the USAOnWatch.org (UOW) Website?
A: UOW invites links to our website. We encourage you to visit our terms and conditions for linking Page.

Q: Can I use the USAOnWatch logo?
A: For information on the use of the USAOnWatch logo, please click on Link to Us at the bottom of this page or contact us by email.

Q: Can I put a USAOnWatch ad banner on my Website?
A: For information on banner ads, please click on Link to Us at the bottom of this page, or contact us by email.