The death of Trayvon Martin, a 17-year-old high school student in Sanford, Fla., is a vivid reminder that neighborhood watch programs, even with the best intentions, can trigger tragic results for families, residents and entire communities.

"We know neighborhood watch programs can reduce crime and ease the fears of residents, but they also pose major risks when appropriate procedures aren’t followed," says Thomas M. Skiba, CAE, chief executive officer of Community Associations Institute (CAI). "It’s essential that those who organize and lead watch programs work with local law enforcement authorities to ensure that all volunteers understand and accept the extent and limitations of their responsibilities."

Skiba said it’s not CAI’s place to pass judgment on the criminality of the events in Florida or the state’s stand-your-ground law. "But the horrible fact remains that family and friends now grieve for a young man," he says. "As the father of a 17-year-old son, I can’t begin to imagine the horror facing Trayvon’s family. If nothing else, the regrettable confrontation that night reminds us that such programs must be carefully implemented and rigorously monitored."

Skiba urges all community associations—even when a watch program isn’t managed by the association—to review procedures and to do everything possible to prevent confrontations that should be handled by police.

For communities considering neighborhood watch programs, Skiba offers the following advice:

• Contact the local police department for start-up support, guidance and training. Volunteers who skip this critical step can find themselves on the wrong side of the law—or worse.
• Seek the advice of an attorney with expertise in community association law.
• Create processes for recruiting only responsible volunteers who will follow all procedures.
• Develop methods, such as websites and e-mail, to keep volunteers and residents informed.
• Continuously reinforce all procedures—including do-not-engage rules for resident volunteers.

"Community associations should proceed very carefully before they decide to create or manage a neighborhood watch program or before they even formally endorse a watch program organized by residents," Skiba says.

He says association boards considering this issue need to ask three fundamental questions:

• What is the extent of the association’s powers under its governing documents?
• Does the association have the authority to establish a community watch?
• What are the legal and ethical liabilities of an association-sponsored watch program?

"These questions should be answered—definitively—before board members take formal action to establish a watch program or even lend support to such an initiative," Skiba concludes. "Communities that can’t or won’t answer these questions should drop the idea altogether." 

Visit www.caionline.org/neighborhoodwatch for a detailed article on this topic.

With more than 31,000 members dedicated to building better communities, CAI works in partnership with 60 chapters—including eight in Florida—and housing leaders in a number of other countries. CAI provides information, education and resources to homeowners, community association boards and the professionals who support them. Visit www.caionline.org or call (888) 224-4321.