Keeping the Block Watch Going

Below are tips from Seattle Police for keeping your Block Watch going. If you want to start a block watch, get information here.

We encourage Block Watch members to get together at least once a year, on a formal or informal basis, to maintain acquaintance, update the block map, select a new bloc captain if necessary, and to get to know the new neighbors on the block.

The first thing to do is to determine what type of meeting to have. Here are a few possible types of meetings:

A. General Meeting: Examples are maintenance meetings, where the block meets to refresh themselves with crime prevention tips and the services available to assist in crime prevention efforts. Often this is just an informal get together with an SPD Crime Prevention Coordinator.

B. Problem Meeting: If there is a problem on your block (lighting, vacant house, traffic, etc.) neighbors may want to get together to try to solve this problem. You may want to invite speakers from public or private agencies who can provide information or assistance. Often neighbors get together to discuss projects they can do to improve the neighborhood, such as litter pick-up or graffiti paint-outs, or projects they can do for each other.

C. Agency Meeting: An example is a meeting where you learn about other agencies and organizations that are available to help you and your neighborhood. The Fire Department, City Light, SDOT, Emergency Management and others have educational or informational programs they can present to a group.

D. Community Meeting: Often, there are issues that impact an entire community, not just one block. In these cases, many Block Watches have gone to the surrounding neighborhoods to communicate with other Block Watches and generate a community meeting to address these concerns.

E. Annual Night Out: Night Out is an annual event, usually held on the first Tuesday in August, where neighborhoods show their active involvement in crime prevention by getting together as a neighborhood, and have a party. Block-wide picnics, barbecues and potluck suppers, parades are just some of the activities done on Night Out. This is a fun way to keep the Block Watch going and meet your new neighbors at the same time. Most blocks are allowed to close down their street for free this evening.

After selecting the kind of meeting you want, choose a place to hold it. Set a convenient date and time, and invite all the neighbors in person with the invitations.