Neighborhood Watch: An Alternative Way of Self-Reliance in the Community

Abstract

This article was derived from the project entitled "Family Enhancement Program for Economic and Social Development for a Better Quality of Life " which was conducted by the Social Administration Foundation and supported by the Social Welfare Provision Fund and the Social Development and Welfare Department. The objectives of the project were: 1) to enhance knowledge and understanding of the concept of neighborhood surveillance for solving the families' problems in the communities and 2) to learn and exchange ideas and opinions for promoting a better quality of life. This research used a qualitative method by organizing the workshops with family members in the two districts in Bangkok Metropolitan area: Bangkok Noi district and Patumwan district. This work utilized the purposive sampling to determine the sample groups of the Bangkok area on the Thonburi side (Bangkok Noi district) and Bangkok area on the Phra Nakhon side (Pathumwan district). These two districts had different ways of life. Bangkok Noi was initially an agricultural district, but now a center of cultural preservation and tourism with a total of 23 slum communities, whereas Patumwan is a center of business and commerce where 12 slum communities exist. These participants had engaged in many activities of the research projects, so they established good relationships among one another and the community members also participated in this project as well. There were 120 participants who were selected from 20 families in the communities from those two districts; the three members each from three generations (parents, children, and relatives). The project activities included sharing knowledge and providing a better understanding of the surveillance concept in the community as well as small group discussions. The findings indicated that all participants of all ages realized the economic and social problems within their communities but they did not know about the concept and measurement of community-based surveillance. Hence, the participants all agreed to establish neighborhood watch to implement the plan and coordinate with the relevant external organizations to acquire more knowledge and skills in setting up a neighborhood watch group.