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Regular Session, 2014
SENATE BILL NO. 90
BY SENATOR DORSEY-COLOMB
SPECIAL DISTRICTS. Provides for the creation of the "Neighborhood Watch Act".
(gov sig)
AN ACT1
To enact Chapter 30-B of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, to be2
comprised of R.S. 33:9100.31 through 9100.33, relative to neighborhood watch3
volunteers; to provide for procedures relative to neighborhood watch volunteers; to4
provide for training; to provide for duties and responsibilities; to provide for5
definitions; to provide for an effective date; and to provide for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. Chapter 30-B of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950,8
comprised of R.S. 33:9100.31 through 9100.33, is hereby enacted to read as follows:9
CHAPTER 30-B. NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH VOLUNTEERS10
§9100.31. Short title11
This Chapter shall be known and may be cited as the "Neighborhood12
Watch Act".13
§9100.32. Legislative findings and declaration14
A. The legislature hereby finds and declares that in order to provide a15
uniform, expeditious, and equitable procedure, with due regard for the safety16
of all citizens and the rights of persons in interest, there are many efforts17 SB NO. 90
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currently underway to work to coordinate criminal justice partnerships to deal1
with criminal activity in neighborhoods throughout the state. A neighborhood2
watch program is one such effort. This program was replicated in Louisiana by3
the Louisiana Sheriff's Association from the National Sheriff's Association.4
This effort was designed to enlist the participation of citizens with law5
enforcement to help reduce and prevent crime.6
B. It is the intent of the legislature, therefore, to promote a coordinated7
effort among law enforcement and neighborhood watch programs to stem the8
tide of violence and criminal activity against the citizens of this state and9
support strategies aimed at increasing both public understanding of the10
problems in neighborhoods and increasing capacity for preventing crime in11
neighborhoods. Further, it is the intent of the legislature to address the12
problems of crime in a systematic and effective manner by promoting and13
expanding law enforcement agencies and neighborhood watch programs in14
implementing specific strategies for crime prevention, citizen involvement, and15
public education and training.16
§9100.33. Duties and responsibilities17
A. A neighborhood watch program established in this state shall adhere18
to the following duties and responsibilities:19
(1) Engage in a relationship with a law enforcement liaison specifically20
assigned the responsibility of establishing, training, and supporting local21
neighborhood watch groups.22
(2) Participate in an annual training whereby the law enforcement23
liaison will properly train neighborhood watch leaders, block captains and24
members in areas ranging from setting goals to how to report suspicious25
activities.26
(3) Execute affidavits annually stating that:27
(a) Members do not possess police powers and shall not pursue vehicles.28
(b) Members shall alert police or deputies when encountering strange or29 SB NO. 90
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suspicious activity.1
(c) Members shall never confront suspicious persons.2
(d) Members shall wear identifiable gear and have state-issued3
identification visible while patrolling.4
(e) Members shall accept the advice of any and all emergency personnel5
when reporting suspicious activities or crimes in progress.6
(4) Register the neighborhood watch program with local, state, and7
national law enforcement agencies to become part of the national initiative8
against crime.9
B. For the purpose of this Section, the following words shall have the10
following definitions:11
(1) "Neighborhood Watch" means a group of people living in the same12
area who want to make their neighborhood safer by working together and in13
conjunction with local law enforcement to reduce crime and improve their14
quality of life.15
(2) "Law Enforcement Liaison" means a law enforcement officer16
specifically assigned the responsibility of establishing and supporting local17
neighborhood watch groups.18
Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not19
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature20
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If21
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become22
effective on the day following such approval.23
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Michael Bell.
DIGEST
Dorsey-Colomb (SB 90)
Proposed law creates the "Neighborhood Watch Act".
Proposed law provides for the following duties and responsibilities for neighborhood watch
programs: SB NO. 90
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
(1)Engage in a relationship with a law enforcement liaison specifically assigned the
responsibility of establishing, training and supporting local neighborhood watch
groups.
(2)Participate in an annual training whereby the law enforcement liaison will properly
train neighborhood watch leaders, block captains and members in areas ranging from
setting goals to how to report suspicious activities.
(3)Execute affidavits annually relative to the following:
(a)Active members emphasizing that they do not possess police powers and
should not pursue vehicles.
(b)Members shall alert police or deputies when encountering strange activity.
(c)Members shall never confront suspicious persons.
(d)Members shall wear identifiable gear and have state-issued identification
visible while patrolling.
(e)Members shall accept the advice of any and all emergency personnel when
reporting suspicious activities or crimes in progress.
(4)Register the Neighborhood Watch program with local, state, and national law
enforcement agencies to become part of the national initiative against crime.
Proposed law provides for definitions.
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 33:9100.31-9100.33)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Local and Municipal
Affairs to the original bill
1. Deletes the requirement that affidavit include statement that members will
not carry weapons.