Know your neighbors

Host Block Watch parties

Do as much as you need and are comfortable with.

Organize area Block Watches for greater effectiveness.

Have City Contacts for all to use. Block Watches should:

• Report Suspicious Behavior to 911

• Report Graffitti

• Report Street Light problems

• Report Abandoned Cars – Call after 72 hours

• Report Illegal dumping

• Report property violations

Suspicious? Call 911! Trust your instincts - Your neighbors depend on it!

What does the police department need to know when you call?

1. Your EXACT location. This may not always be the same location as where the activity is occurring. If you would like contact from an officer regarding this activity, you must be within the city limits.

2. Responses can be based on whether this crime happened 5 minutes ago or 5 hours ago.

3. What EXACTLY is the suspicious activity? Any suspect information you can provide will be helpful to the responding officer.

4. Weapon information

5. Police will ask for a specific description of subject in this order (race, age, build, hair, clothing top to bottom, outside to inside). If vehicle (color, year, make, body, accessories, license)

Not satisfied with how 911 has handled your call?

Ask for an event number, operator number and note the time called. This can be communicated to the community policing officer (or the 911 supervisor) who can help review if there has been a violation of policy. A case number is assigned when an officer responds.

The walks are a fun way to meet neighbors and walk part of our area in larger groups. The idea of the walk patrol is to create a visible presence that will help to prevent criminal activity. If the group encounters illegal or suspicious activities, someone calls 911. Participants can choose one of two patrols to join. Lead organizers set these up.

1. Host a neighborhood talent show (think My Neighborhood's Got Talent... or Neighborhood Idol...)

2. Set up a neighborhood outdoor movie night.

3. Organize an "über-local" potluck dinner, with dishes made only from food grown in the neighborhood.

4. Share your yard with a local gardener who needs space, and get the benefits of fresh produce without the work!

5. Host a swap party for books, tools, homemade canned goods, sporting equipment, clothes...

6. Join a community garden.

7. Put on a neighborhood Olympics in your local park with unusual sports - bocce, croquet, water balloon toss...

8. Tear up your lawn and turn it into a garden.

9. Plan a clean-up or beautification party for a local park, street or traffic circle.

10. Learn your neighbors' names. A simple and great place to start!

(from the Pomegranite Center)