Neighborhood Watch programs are consistent with the two main theoretical models used in community crime prevention today: informal social control and opportunity reduction. However, empirical support is lacking for some of the basic assumptions regarding this strategy. In fact, some evidence suggests that residents in the majority of high-crime neighborhoods would not take part if given the chance to participate and that when citizens do participate, the social interactions at meetings may increase rather than decrease fear. The majority of empirical evaluations are flawed. However, the first quasi-experimental test of the assumptions underlying watch programs showed both that no improvements occurred in treated areas and that fear and perceptions of crime increased. 70 references.