Kid Watch Kid Watch
In this section:
"When children see the Kid Watch emblem in the windows, they know that there is someone watching them, that there is someone very interested in their safety."

Virgie Simon, Kid Watch founding member, LAPD block club captain and University Park resident since 1960

A Success Story
In the heart of Los Angeles, community members have created a small town or village atmosphere. People stand outside their doors, in their yards, in front of their businesses to talk to one another. Neighbors watch out for each other's kids, and children report that they feel safer walking to and from school. An area that only a decade ago was torn apart by civil unrest, today has people of different backgrounds united under one goal—the safety of their children. As one Los Angeles Police Department officer stated, "The Kid Watch program has increased community togetherness, pride and child safety."

Program Overview
Kid Watch mobilizes volunteers to provide safe passage for more than 9,000 neighborhood children as they walk to and from school, local parks, museums and libraries, and other neighborhood cultural and recreational facilities. More than 800 volunteers, with Kid Watch decals prominently displayed, water their lawns, sweep sidewalks and perform other outside chores, keeping alert and informing law enforcement officials of anything that might harm a child.

Kid Watch is a partnership between:

  • The USC Family of Schools
  • The Los Angeles Police Department–Southwest Division
  • The Los Angeles Unified School District Police Department
  • The USC Department of Public Safety
  • USC Civic and Community Relations

It is supported by community organizations and institutions, businesses and residents in the University Park neighborhood.

The Kid Watch model is being replicated in communities across the city and state as well as nationally and internationally. It has inspired all Los Angeles County fire departments to declare their stations safe havens for children.