Over the past few months, I’ve had numerous conversations with folks regarding Block Watch. There seems to be some concern over what Block Watch is and confusion about what it is not. So, we present Block Watch 101: What Block Watch Is.
What Block Watch Is
Block Watch is a national program that is based on the principle that neighbors working together are the first and best line of defense against crime. Seattle’s Block Watch program began in 1972 and the police department’s Crime Prevention Coordinators lend support to neighborhood block watch efforts. Roughly 30% of Seattle neighborhoods are currently involved in Block Watch, compared to a national average of around 10%.
Block Watch can be stripped down to three elements: awareness, communication and commitment to watch out for each other. Block Watch is about being aware of what’s going on in the neighborhood. It’s about communicating with each other and with police when you see something suspicious or that seems out of place for your block. And it’s agreeing to keep an eye out for each other’s safety and each other’s property.
· Awareness - being aware of what’s going on in your neighborhood. Being aware of who your neighbors are and getting to know them. Being aware of the public safety concerns – and working to address them.
· Communication - Communication with each other and Police. When you get to know your neighbors, when you become more aware, you’re better able to communicate when something is suspicious or warrants a call to police. When you know each other, you become more willing to communicate about the suspicious or abnormal. How do you find out what’s normal? Get out of your home and engage; get to know your neighbors, talk with each other and alert each other about unruly or suspicious activity.
· Commitment to watch out for each other - Just as you are more willing to communicate with people you know, you are more likely to be watchful for those with whom you’ve established a relationship. Think about those you know on your block or in your apartment or condo complex: Aren’t you more likely to keep an eye out for them? Wouldn’t you expect them to do the same?
Block Watch is really just an extension of what you are probably already doing on an informal basis, and what many neighborhoods have done for years. If there is some activity in your neighborhood that is unruly, doesn’t fit or is suspicious (and only you would know what that might be for your neighborhood) communicate that with neighbors and with police. You tell your neighbors so they can be aware and watchful of the activity that caused your concern. You tell the police so that we can do something about it.
Block Watch involves commitment. It is a commitment to be concerned about your neighbor's property as well as your own, and a commitment that when you see suspicious activity, you will take action by calling your neighbors and 9-1-1(when warranted).
Next Time, Block Watch 102 - What Block Watch is not.
Until Then, Take Care And Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
Friday, October 13, 2006
Recent South Seattle Incidents - reminder to be on the look out!
Dear Community Friends:
Since we last wrote, activity in the precinct has been intense. To highlight just a few items:
· Sept 21st: Shots were fired from one car at another in the area of the Rainier Beach Jack-In-The-Box. One person died and one was seriously injured.
· Sept 23rd: One person died from injuries sustained in a fight with a domestic violence abuser as the person tried to help the survivor of the violence leave the abuser.
· Sept 23rd: An unattended car, left with the engine running and a one-year old child inside, was stolen from outside the victim’s residence. Officers located the car nearby; the child was unharmed.
· Sept 25th: A victim died of stab wounds suffered during a domestic violence assault.
· Sept 26th: A person was shot five times at close range during a possible drug deal.
· Sept 28th: A suspect shot at a patrol car, shattering a window, while the officer was in the car. The officer was not injured.
· Sept 29th: A vehicle traveling a high rate of speed crashed and rolled over on the 8400 Block of Seward Park Ave S. The four passengers were injured but alive at the time of the accident.
· Sept 30th: A vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed hit a wooden pole and traffic signal at 57th & Rainier. The four passengers were killed instantly. The impact was such that wreckage from the accident was spread out over several city blocks. Downed power lines from the accident knocked out power in the area for hours.
Additionally, there has been a sharp increase in residential burglaries. We’ve written before that in a large percentage of residential burglaries, the suspects gained entry through opened and unlocked doors and windows. This is still occurring. However, we’re also seeing a spike of forced entry burglaries, with suspects breaking into homes through basement or side windows, rear doors, etc.
When we process all that has occurred these past few weeks, rather than dwell on them or be fearful because of them, we need to look at what we can do to respond to them and prevent things like this from happening to us and those around us.
The police department rarely has the staffing levels to do proactive patrols. Often, officers are going from one 911 call to the next with no opportunity to make proactive contacts that may deter crime. Police officers cannot prevent crime by themselves, but we as individuals can. Officers respond to crime and in many instances deter it by their presence. But they cannot prevent you from abusing a loved one, they cannot prevent you from using drugs, they can’t prevent you from leaving your unattended car running or prevent you from driving at excessive speeds. But you as an individual can.
· We can pay attention to how we drive and be more cautious, and encourage others to do the same.
· We can not leave our cars running and unattended. We can not leave our children unattended.
· We can think about how we process anger. Rather than striking out to cause harm, whether with a hand, knife or gun, take a step back, breath and think.
· We can continue to be observant and report crime. Even though it could take some time for an officer to respond to a burglary call, they will respond. They will gather information and evidence and get it to the detectives for follow-up. In some recent burglaries, officers were unavailable to respond in a timely manner because of other criminal activity occurring at the same time that was at a higher priority level. However, officers were still able to get information from the witnesses and write a detailed report. That information led detectives to identify and locate the suspects. The 911 calls still made a difference.
We as individuals can make a difference.
Until Next Time, Take Care and Stay Safe! (and give us feedback regarding the new newsletter format)
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
Since we last wrote, activity in the precinct has been intense. To highlight just a few items:
· Sept 21st: Shots were fired from one car at another in the area of the Rainier Beach Jack-In-The-Box. One person died and one was seriously injured.
· Sept 23rd: One person died from injuries sustained in a fight with a domestic violence abuser as the person tried to help the survivor of the violence leave the abuser.
· Sept 23rd: An unattended car, left with the engine running and a one-year old child inside, was stolen from outside the victim’s residence. Officers located the car nearby; the child was unharmed.
· Sept 25th: A victim died of stab wounds suffered during a domestic violence assault.
· Sept 26th: A person was shot five times at close range during a possible drug deal.
· Sept 28th: A suspect shot at a patrol car, shattering a window, while the officer was in the car. The officer was not injured.
· Sept 29th: A vehicle traveling a high rate of speed crashed and rolled over on the 8400 Block of Seward Park Ave S. The four passengers were injured but alive at the time of the accident.
· Sept 30th: A vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed hit a wooden pole and traffic signal at 57th & Rainier. The four passengers were killed instantly. The impact was such that wreckage from the accident was spread out over several city blocks. Downed power lines from the accident knocked out power in the area for hours.
Additionally, there has been a sharp increase in residential burglaries. We’ve written before that in a large percentage of residential burglaries, the suspects gained entry through opened and unlocked doors and windows. This is still occurring. However, we’re also seeing a spike of forced entry burglaries, with suspects breaking into homes through basement or side windows, rear doors, etc.
When we process all that has occurred these past few weeks, rather than dwell on them or be fearful because of them, we need to look at what we can do to respond to them and prevent things like this from happening to us and those around us.
The police department rarely has the staffing levels to do proactive patrols. Often, officers are going from one 911 call to the next with no opportunity to make proactive contacts that may deter crime. Police officers cannot prevent crime by themselves, but we as individuals can. Officers respond to crime and in many instances deter it by their presence. But they cannot prevent you from abusing a loved one, they cannot prevent you from using drugs, they can’t prevent you from leaving your unattended car running or prevent you from driving at excessive speeds. But you as an individual can.
· We can pay attention to how we drive and be more cautious, and encourage others to do the same.
· We can not leave our cars running and unattended. We can not leave our children unattended.
· We can think about how we process anger. Rather than striking out to cause harm, whether with a hand, knife or gun, take a step back, breath and think.
· We can continue to be observant and report crime. Even though it could take some time for an officer to respond to a burglary call, they will respond. They will gather information and evidence and get it to the detectives for follow-up. In some recent burglaries, officers were unavailable to respond in a timely manner because of other criminal activity occurring at the same time that was at a higher priority level. However, officers were still able to get information from the witnesses and write a detailed report. That information led detectives to identify and locate the suspects. The 911 calls still made a difference.
We as individuals can make a difference.
Until Next Time, Take Care and Stay Safe! (and give us feedback regarding the new newsletter format)
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator
Monday, October 09, 2006
Free trees!
Plant-a-Tree-for-Free
As part of the Mayor's Fall Tree Planting challenge, City of Seattle residents can request a free tree (supplies limited, one tree per household) beginning September 7 to plant in their yard.
Trees will be available for pick-up at two locations on October 28. After submitting the form below, you will be sent or emailed a coupon to bring when you pick up your tree.
http://www.seattle.gov/environment/trees/tree_request.htm
As part of the Mayor's Fall Tree Planting challenge, City of Seattle residents can request a free tree (supplies limited, one tree per household) beginning September 7 to plant in their yard.
Trees will be available for pick-up at two locations on October 28. After submitting the form below, you will be sent or emailed a coupon to bring when you pick up your tree.
http://www.seattle.gov/environment/trees/tree_request.htm