On August 31st, the U.S. Embassy in Nouakchott hosted its first Neighborhood Community Watch meeting at the New Embassy Compound. The attendees included Mauritanian police and security forces, as well as local residents and local business representatives. The embassy’s security team proposed to engage members of the neighborhood as part of its plan to reduce crime and increase the local police force’s presence and visibility throughout the neighborhood. Everyone who attended the event was pleased with the presentation and looked forward to the Embassy’s official opening in coming months.
In the United States, the Neighborhood Community Watch program has proven to be the most effective way to reduce criminal activity. The program works by organizing community members to collaboratively look out for each other’s property and safety. The program also encourages community members to actively inform the police about suspicious activities or possible criminal activity in their neighborhood.
The U.S. Embassy in Nouakchott is implementing this initiative as part of its “Good Neighbor” program, which seeks to ensure the security and safety of our embassy personnel and our new neighbors.
