Block Watch 102

Dear Community Friends:

In our last newsletter we discussed what Block Watch is. In our effort to
dispel rumor, myth and misconceptions, we now present Block Watch 102: What
Block Watch Is Not.

Block Watch is not a single entity. There are over 3000 individual active
Block Watch groups in the city of Seattle. They all have a slightly
different flavor, feel, focus and level of participation. Some block watch
groups consist of just their street from corner to corner. Others encompass
several blocks. Neighbors decide what works best for them.

Block Watch is not a police department controlled tool. While the police
department assists neighbors in getting block watches established, the
police department does not ³run² them. You on the blocks do. Those
involved in Block Watch are not police department employees, the department
does not ³supervise² Block Watch captains or contacts, nor do these captains
and contacts ³report² to the police.

Block Watch is not about patrolling your neighborhood with flashlights and
baseball bats. We encourage neighbors to be visible and out and about in
their neighborhood: the more you are, the less likely bad guys will want to
be around. So, some neighbors do engage in safety walks. That doesn¹t mean
they confront every unknown person they see and challenging their purpose
for being on ³their² street.

Block Watch is not intended as a means to harass, coerce, intimidate or cry
wolf. Block Watch is about preventing crime and improving public safety of
the neighborhood. It¹s not about using the police or city systems to hassle
someone you don¹t like. If you have an issue with a neighbor, before you
start rallying the block watch and city resources to go after that neighbor,
examine what it is about the neighbor you have an issue with. Is it really
a public safety concern, or do you just not like the way the person lives?
There may not be a direct public safety, criminal or quality of life issue
to be addressed, so don¹t use Block Watch to create one.

Block Watch is not about living in your neighbor¹s hip pocket, or you
telling your neighbors every aspect of your business. You can still have
your privacy. It is about getting to know each other and being familiar
enough with each other to know who lives in the neighborhood and who
doesn¹t, which cars are part of the neighborhood and which aren¹t, and when
something suspicious is going on.

So If Block Watch Is Not Those Things, Then What Is It?

· When you go to your window to open or close your drapes, take a moment to
glance around the neighborhood and see what¹s going on.

· When you go out to your car or walk to the bus stop, instead of focusing
on the car or where your feet are going, look around and check the
neighborhood.

· When you go out of town, you let a trusted neighbor know so they can keep
an eye out for your place. And if you have someone staying at your place
while you¹re out of town, you let neighbors know so that your house sitter
doesn¹t get 911 called about them.

· Get to know each other, communicate with each other, and you let people
you see on the street know you acknowledge their presence.

This is Block Watch.

Until Then, Take Care And Stay Safe!
Mark Solomon, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator