Don't panic! If you do not yet meet all of the standards at this moment, we will work with you. We feel that the new site standards are important to maintain a high level of service to the youth in our programs. Many of them are easy to implement. For example, you can complete our Site Survey online and download the Site Agreement Form to print out and sign. And there is time to get them all done.

» Site standards

How much does the program cost?

While an adequate budget is always nice, you can run Youth Crime Watch on a shoestring.

Contact us to arrange training early! YCWA provides free training in as many locations across the U.S. as our funding will allow... the sooner we hear from you, the more likely we will be able to accommodate your needs close to home.
» Training
We produce new publications every year and make them available to our programs at low prices. Most programs will purchase our startup kit for $99 (get 5% off if you order online!). Beyond that, there are additional materials available to help you deepen your Crime Watch.
» Online Materials Catalog
National membership, which is not mandatory, will cost your watch $150 annually ($135 if you join online).
» Membership categories
You will also need to cover the costs of materials for the day to day operations of your program (copies of handouts, pizza for meetings, baseball caps or vests or sashes for your patrol, etc.) -- these demands can be creatively met through partnerships with local businesses and clubs.
» Fundraising ideas

What are the rules for YCWA membership? How do we join?

Youth Crime Watch of America offers four national membership categories:

Youth individual
Adult individual
School/Community site
Corporate

More information and an application form are available online:

» Membership

Do you provide funding?

No. Youth Crime Watch is not a funding organization. We do pass on hot grant tips, when we hear of something, so check our website regularly. YCW programs secure their own funding locally.

» Fundraising tips

How do we get training?

YCWA offers prescheduled training, tailored training, conference workshops, online training broadcasts and teleconferences. We also have a broad array of published material, videos, and CD-ROMs to support your local efforts.

Don't forget: Every Youth Crime Watch site must complete implementation training. Our training department organizes implementation training across the U.S. Contact us to let us know where you are so that we can find a place for you.

» Training options

» Materials catalog

How do we get books and materials?

Call us (305-670-2409) for a free color catalog or check out our online store. When you order books and materials online, you automatically save 5% off your total!

» YCWA Online Materials Catalog

How do we get on your mailing list?

When you request an information packet, you may request to be put on our mailing list at the same time.

If you are an existing Youth Crime Watch site, then filling out your annual site survey will keep you on our mailing list.

If you choose to become a Youth Crime Watch member (individual, site or corporate), then you will get on our mailing list when you send in your membership form.

How often should we complete a Site Survey?

Every year.

Keeping our records up to date helps us serve all of our sites better. Completing a survey will make you an official registered YCW site.

» Site survey (PDF 185 kB)

When should we turn in our Site Agreement Form?

Youth Crime Watch now requires a Site Agreement Form (SAF) from all sites. Optimally, you should return your form as soon as possible at the start of your program year along with your Site Survey form. Why? The SAF is a mutual pledge ensuring that the school or community organization will give to YCW all that it will need to make itself successful and that the YCW team will always keep the whole school or community in mind. It also provides you with the opportunity to meet with your school principal and other program partners periodically to keep them updated and in your program's information loop. This is a document you should have in hand early. As noted, your Site Survey form should also be turned in at the same time regardless of whether you have enough information to answer all the questions. YCWA staff will follow-up with you to fill in the needed questions at a later time.

» Site Agreement Form (PDF 88 kB)

» Site Survey (PDF 185 kB)

What are the rules for using the YCWA logo and Casey the Cat mascot?

The Casey the Crime Watchin' Cat character, the Youth Crime Watch logo, and the slogan "We're Watchin' Because We Care" are legally protected service marks and trademarks that Youth Crime Watch of America has an obligation to protect. We encourage sites to use these symbols. More information and a permission request form are available online:

» Using Casey and other YCWA registered marks

What are the "key components"?

The key components are the basic building blocks of Youth Crime Watch based on our "Watch Out, Help Out" philosophy. There are nine of them:

Crime Reporting
Youth Patrols
Drug, Crime, and Violence Education
Bus Safety
Mentoring
Conflict Resolution
Mediation
Peer and Cross-Age Teaching
Action Projects

YCW sites can adopt one or all of these components depending upon their unique situation. We have materials available to help you get running with all nine.

» Nine components

Is there life after high school?

The end of senior year will send some Youth Crime Watchers searching for an outlet to practice what they've learned in YCW. Some of you may plan to enter the workforce and become full-fledged members of the adult world. You will find that there are a number of programs at the local level that serve the community (neighborhood watch, mentoring, etc.). If your community or workplace does not have a watch, you can start one. Do a web search for the program you're interested in.

Some of you will continue your formal education in college or technical school. You will find that you can take your YCW experience to college with you. YCWA's collegiate program - College Crime Watch - is now in its third year and going strong. Several successful pilot programs have led the way. The basic program components for a college watch are slightly different than for a high school-level watch. They are...

Campus watch
Safety escort services and campus patrols
Drug and alcohol abuse prevention
Self-defense training
Lifesaving (First Aid/CPR)
Property protection
Safe crime reporting
Peer mediation and counseling
Hate crime prevention
Action projects

If your college campus does not have a CCW program yet, start one yourself. We'll be glad to help. More information is available online at CCW's website.

» College Crime Watch

Can I be featured in the Youth Spotlight?

You can if you are a Youth Crime Watcher... and, of course, a youth. Youth Crime Watch of America recognizes one outstanding young person every month. And every year, YCWA chooses one of these winners to be the Youth Crime Watch Youth of the Year!! The Youth of the Year will receive a scholarship to the National Youth Crime Prevention Conference, where the award will be presented. You may nominate yourself or someone else online. The deadline is always the last week of each month.

» Youth award nominations

What is a youth patrol?

The concept is simple: Young people work together in a formal structure, with help from adults, to patrol the campus of the school in pairs or small groups, acting nonconfrontationally to help maintain order, enforce rules, and report crime or crime-threatening situations. They are not tasked to apprehend criminals. They may serve as mediators with proper training. The patrol members may help with prevention education for students and staff. Youth patrols are one of the nine components of Youth Crime Watch.

» Youth Patrols

What about liability? Isn't youth patrol dangerous?

Youth Crime Watch teaches safe and anonymous crime reporting. When presentations are made to the Core Group or to the entire student body, ways and means to report safely should be emphasized. It is always a rule not to guarantee absolute safety for any program or part thereof. Make sure your Youth Crime Watchers know about any local or state laws that punish those who take retribution against someone who is a victim, witness, or reporter of a crime.

With respect to student patrols, since patrol members are likely to be near a violent incident at one time or another, they must receive training on what to do and how to handle those situations. Your training should emphasize non-confrontational approaches that bring in adult authorities as soon as possible. One key to youth patrol success is that patrol members understand how to defuse a violent situation before it develops.

In general, if a person is acting within the scope of their program responsibilities, then the program is liable for their actions. But if a person is acting outside of their authorized responsibilities or takes action contrary to their YCW training, then they assume responsibility for their own actions. Many states have Good Samaritan laws that protect people who help a crime victim or any other person in distress. Advisors should be familiar with such laws and help patrol members and the school administration understand them.

FAQ

How do we get started?

What are the YCWA site standards?

What if our site does not meet YCWA's new site standards?