File #: Int 0756-2026    Version: * Name: A pilot program to support neighborhood watch groups.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Public Safety
On agenda: 3/10/2026
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law in relation to establishing a pilot program to support neighborhood watch groups
Sponsors: Frank Morano
Council Member Sponsors: 1
Summary: This bill establishes a two-year pilot program with the purpose of supporting neighborhood watch groups. The administering agency or office is to be designated by the Mayor. The bill provides that the administering agency is to provide micro-grants up to $15,000, trainings, and information, including but not limited to maps, data, statistics, and expertise, necessary to facilitate best practices in the design and implementation of neighborhood watch groups, through the pilot program. Trainings are to be conducted by, or in consultation with, the New York City Police Department. The administering agency must 1) ensure that at least one neighborhood watch group from each borough participates in the pilot program; and 2) promulgate rules necessary to establish and administer the pilot program. No later than 1 year after the conclusion of the pilot program, the administering agency is to produce and submit to the mayor and speaker of the council a report on the impact, outcome, and effectiveness, of the pilot program.
Indexes: Agency Rule-making Required, Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 756, 2. Int. No. 756, 3. Memorandum in Support, 4. March 10, 2026 - Stated Meeting Agenda

Int. No. 756

 

By Council Member Morano

 

A Local Law in relation to establishing a pilot program to support neighborhood watch groups

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Neighborhood watch pilot program.

a. Definitions. For purposes of this local law, the following terms have the following meanings:

Administering agency. The term “administering agency” means an agency or office designated by the mayor to establish and administer the pilot program created pursuant to this section.

Micro-grant. The term “micro-grant” means grants provided by the administering agency in amounts up to $15,000.

Neighborhood watch group. The term “neighborhood watch group” means any group of volunteers who through legally permissible means coordinate among themselves to work with the collective purpose of increasing public safety and reducing crime in their communities.

b. Pilot program. The administering agency shall establish and administer a pilot program to support neighborhood watch groups. Such program shall provide micro-grants, trainings, and information, including but not limited to maps, data, statistics, and expertise, as well as any other resources the administering agency deems necessary to facilitate best practices in the design and implementation of neighborhood watch groups. Pilot program trainings shall be conducted by or in consultation with the city police department.

c. The administering agency shall designate a procedure by which neighborhood watch groups can apply to the pilot program established by this section and shall designate criteria for evaluating such applications. The administering agency shall also promulgate rules, including permissible expenditures, for grant recipients’ use of micro-grant funds. The administering agency shall establish benchmarks and reporting requirements for the neighborhood watch groups the administering agency selects to participate in the pilot program. These benchmarks and reporting requirements shall be designed to facilitate the administering agency’s ability to 1) ensure that grant recipients comply with pilot program rules 2) evaluate the effectiveness of the pilot program.

d. The administering agency shall select at least 1 neighborhood watch group in each borough to participate in the pilot program. Such program shall commence no later than 120 days after the effective date of this local law and shall conclude 2 years after the commencement of such program. 

e. Report. No later than 1 year after the conclusion of the pilot program established in this section, the administering agency shall submit to the mayor and speaker of the council a report evaluating the impact and outcomes of the program and recommendations on whether to expand or make such program permanent. Such report shall also identify any challenges or issues presented by the program.

§ 2. This local law takes effect 1 year after it becomes law, except that the administering agency shall take such measures as are necessary for the implementation of this local law, including the promulgation of rules, before such date.

 

AW/MH/LJB

LS #20303

2/20/2026 [10:24 am]