Working Together for a Safer Community
The Community Watch Program encourages Fredericton residents to take an active role in preventing crime and promoting safety within their neighbourhoods. By working together, neighbours can act as the community’s extra eyes and ears—helping to deter crime through awareness, communication, and cooperation.
Community Watch is a community-led, police-supported initiative. It is run by the community, for the community, with the Fredericton Police Force (FPF) serving as a supportive partner rather than the program’s leader.
This program supports Recommendation #14 of the Community Safety Task Force, which calls for strengthening community-based crime prevention through more active and engaged neighbourhood watch initiatives.
Program Purpose
Community Watch is built on the idea that neighbours helping neighbours creates safer, more connected communities. The program aims to:
- Encourage residents to take an active role in preventing crime.
- Strengthen neighbourhood security and build trust among residents.
- Promote communication and cooperation with the Fredericton Police Force.
When residents know one another, they are better able to recognize and report suspicious activity quickly—before problems escalate.
How to Start a Community Watch
Starting a Community Watch in your neighbourhood is simple:
- Gauge interest. Talk with your neighbours to see if others are interested in improving safety and communication.
- Organize a meeting. If there’s enough interest, host a community meeting and invite the Fredericton Police Force to explain the program and answer questions.
- Appoint a Community Captain. A volunteer takes on the organizing role, acting as the main point of contact between participants and police.
- Establish communication tools. Set up a dedicated group chat, Facebook page, or email list to share updates and safety information.
Roles and Responsibilities
Clear roles help the program run smoothly and keep communication flowing.
Community Watch Members:
- Stay alert and aware of neighbourhood activity.
- Report suspicious behaviour or incidents directly to police first.
- Keep in touch with their neighbours to share general safety information.
Community Captains:
- The Community Captain is the main point of contact between the watch group and the Fredericton Police.
- All communications flow through this role.
- Maintain contact lists and welcome new residents.
- Organize meetings and communications within the group.
- Share important safety updates between members and the FPF Community Watch Coordinator.
Fredericton Police Force:
- Provide guidance, safety resources, and training advice as needed.
- Attend meetings when invited.
- Serve as advisors and partners of the program.
Reporting and Safety
The focus of Community Watch is awareness, observation, and communication.
- Community Watch members play a vital role in observing and reporting—not enforcing.
- Always report suspicious activity directly to police first.
- Then notify your Community Captain so neighbours can stay informed.
- Do not intervene or attempt to confront individuals involved in suspicious activity.
Communication Tools
Each neighbourhood decides how to stay connected. Options include:
- A private Facebook group or email list to share updates.
- Community bulletin boards or printed newsletters for those without internet access.
Community Captains manage these communication tools, ensuring information is timely, accurate, and accessible. The Fredericton Police Force does not monitor these private channels.
Benefits of Community Watch
- Builds safer, more connected neighbourhoods.
- Strengthens trust and communication between residents and police.
- Fosters community pride and shared responsibility for local safety.
By taking small steps to stay informed and engaged, residents can make a lasting difference in keeping Fredericton’s neighbourhoods safe and welcoming.