What type of crime prevention program focuses on educational efforts to inform residents about criminal activities?

Neighborhood watch programs are designed to educate and engage residents in their communities to better understand and prevent criminal activity. These programs typically emphasize building awareness among residents about crime trends and suspicious activities, fostering communication with local law enforcement, and encouraging proactive measures to enhance community safety.

The fundamental goal of neighborhood watch is to create a network of vigilant residents who are informed and alert to the potential for crime in their area. By holding meetings, distributing materials, and offering training or workshops, these programs empower community members with knowledge and tools to recognize and report criminal behavior effectively.

In contrast, while operations like Operation Identification involve marking property to deter theft, Crime Stoppers focuses on anonymous reporting of crimes, and community policing involves law enforcement officers working collaboratively with neighborhoods to solve problems and improve safety, neighborhood watch specifically centers on educating community members about crime and fostering a proactive approach to prevention. This distinct emphasis on resident education is what defines the neighborhood watch program as the correct answer.