Neighborhood Watch groups are not armed....basically just nosy neighbors who call the police anytime a stranger shows up in other than "normal" circumstances....for example...your next door neighbor is in Spain for a fortnight's holiday...and unknown folks are seen entering the house late at night...will generate an immediate call to the police....complete with car license number, description of car...suspects....running commentary on their conduct...until the cops arrive. No guns...no sticks....maybe video tapes or photographs....merely a "good neighbor" thing. Makes the thieves want to look for other places that are not so protected.