The Block Watch Program addresses the issues of isolation and separation that crime creates and feeds upon, it forges bonds among neighbours, helps reduce residential crime and other crimes, and improves relations between the Police and the community they serve.

The Program was started in BC in 1986 in response to the concerns of citizens about crime. The Program was modeled on a similar project in Seattle, which was effective in reducing residential Break and Enters by up to 60 percent.

Safe Communities, One Block At a Time

What is Block Watch?

Block Watch is a free program in partnership with the New Westminster Police. The goal of the Block Watch is building safer communities. Our aim is to help residents organize their neighbourhoods, encourage neighbours to work together in order to prevent crime in their neighbourhood. It is believed that neighbours working together are the first, and best line of defence against crime. Participants watch out for their neighbour’s property and report suspicious activities to the Police. Block Watch is one of the most comprehensive and successful home security and community safety programs.  

Watch the following video to learn more about Block Watch:

What Block watch Isn't

• Block Watch does not require you to perform special tasks or go to a lot of meetings.
• You do not patrol the neighourbood or chase burglars
• You are not required to live in your neighbour’s hip pocket. You can still conduct your life in privacy.
• Block Watch does not require that you be any friendlier than you want to be.
• Block Watch is not just for homeowners. The tips and techniques are equally valuable to tenants.
   

How does Block Watch work?

Block Watch is all about neighbours being "good" neighbours. Good neighbours watch out for one another and report all suspicious activities to the local police. In turn the police will assist your neighbourhood with crime issues.

A recognized Block Watch group participates in a formal meeting with the police department about the program. This meeting establishes communication for residents with each other and the police agency. Communication tools that must be provided by the participating groups are: a map of specified area (i.e. map of block or strata building or complex); a phone list of all participants including email addresses where possible; all personal property must be marked for identification purposes.

Successful Block Watch groups are about effective communication with community partners.

Who Can Become a Member of Block Watch?

Any one living in any residential or strata building in New Westminster can become Block Watch members. Rental properties should contact the coordinator of the Crime Free multi-housing Program.

How Much Time is Required to Start & Maintain an Effective Block Watch?

There are no time commitments to this program. The initial organizing of your Block Watch group may require some time commitment, however, once your group is established there is only minimal time required to maintain membership participation.

We do encourage each Block Watch group to have a social gathering of its participants annually and one of our police representatives would be more than happy to attend your event.

What Are The Benefits Of Joining Block Watch?

• A safe neighbourhood & community
• A reduction in crime
• A residential security assessment
• Information on property identification
• Membership window decals − includes a warning that property has been marked
• Street or Building sign
• Semi−annual Newsletter
• A webpage Discussion Forum − Some Block Watch Groups have developed their own intranet, email, or newsletter communication
• A possible reduction in home insurance

How Can I Make A Difference?

Making a difference means getting involved, taking responsibility and ownership of your neighbourhood. Block Watch may reduce residential crime by up to 20%. So be part of the solution by calling the New Westminster Police Block Watch office today at 604-529-2446 or email blockwatch@nwpolice.org.

Block Watch: Assessing Your Home Security

How safe is your home?

Home Security is about reducing the risk for victimization.

SELF ASSESSMENT:

Questions to answer.

• Are you door locks adequate? Your deadbolt locks should have a one-inch throw with a striker plate installed with three-inch screws. Quality is paramount.
• Do you have an eye viewer installed at access points for safety? Ensure viewfinder is at an adequate height for all residents.
• Are your windows secured with secondary locks?
• Is your outside lighting adequate? Lights should be motion or photo sensitive, as these are power smart. Outdoor lighting should have ample wattage to enhance surveillance if necessary.
• Do you use interior timers for lights? Consider timers for interior lighting, as this provides the illusion of activity in the home.
• Do you have a monitored home alarm system? Is the alarm company certified and reputable? Do your research.
• Does your landscaping enhance visibility and surveillance opportunities? Trees and shrubs should not obstruct view. Landscaping can enhance security without losing privacy. Trim shrubbery down and trees up to allow lines of visibility.

Block Watch: Property Identification

Are your valuables marked for proper identification?

Marking your personal property is an integral component of the Block Watch Program. Property that has not been marked cannot be returned to its rightful owner if recovered. Here is what you need to know about marking your property.

• Your property must be marked for identification purposes before you become a registered Block Watch Member.
• There are two recognized methods to mark property: Electric engraving device or TB Vets Securitags.
• For either method, use your BC Driving license number or BC Identification number, but never your social insurance number.

REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES

Don't assume someone else has called the police...

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HOW AND WHEN TO CALL THE POLICE

Types of calls:

• 9-1-1 This is expressly for EMERGENCY calls, when the crime is actually in progress.
• 604-525-5411 This is the non-emergency number used to report a suspicious activity or crime that has already occurred.

What to do:

• STAY CALM - Let the Police Operator control the conversation.
• STAY ON THE PHONE - Until the operator tells you to hang up.
• GIVE ALL OF THE INFORMATION REQUESTED.
• ASK FOR A FILE NUMBER - This enables you to follow up on the case.

All of the information that you give is confidential. We do not routinely give out this information. If a serious crime has been committed or we find out after the fact that there has been, we would like to have witnesses to give evidence. The more witnesses to any incident the better it is for the police to identify the suspect and make an arrest. This is your community and your co-operation is needed to protect it properly.

When to call:

Reporting a crime

Should you arrive home and discover a burglary in progress (the suspect is still there or you observed him departing) or windows or doors tampered with...

DO NOT ENTER OR CALL OUT!

Go to a neighbour and call the police. If it is a burglary in progress,

call 9-1-1

Reporting a suspicious person or vehicle:

Don't hesitate to call immediately. It is of little use to the police if you call 5 minutes or so after a person has left your area. Be able to tell us what they were doing that you felt was suspicious. It is most important to at least make a note of vehicle licenses and a description, even if you don't call. Also, we need a fairly accurate description, including clothing. Use the form in your Block Watch Participants Manual. Be able to state where the suspect(s) were last seen and if any vehicles appear to be involved. It may seem that it takes police some time to respond but that is only because they do patrols of the area as they are approaching the scene. Be sure to tell the complaint-taker if you do NOT wish a police officer to attend your residence.

Reporting an impaired driver:

Phone 9-1-1 as soon as possible and give the following information:

• The licence plate number, colour, make and model of the vehicle;
• The direction of travel of the vehicle, and the street it is on; give your name, address, and phone number. This is not essential as the police do take anonymous calls, however, if the case goes to court, it is crucial that witnesses are available to attend and testify.

This information will help the police in intercepting the vehicle before any real damage is done. It is very important to try and get the licence number of the vehicle, as this will give the police the best chance of catching the drunk driver. It is our duty as community members to help stop this crime. Be responsible for yourself, your family and your community; make that call.

Reporting noise complaints:

The best way to deal with noisy neighbours is to call them yourself; you should know your neighbour well enough to do this comfortably. If this fails and you must call the Police, try to give the actual address. If not available, try for the most accurate geographical description, or best of all use your Block Watch map. Be willing to give your personal information. Ask for and keep track of the file number. One of the main reasons for this is that if we get repeated calls on a weekly/daily basis, we may be able to take these to the Municipal Hall and the subjects could be charged under a bylaw.

Reporting suspicious activities

What is a Suspicious Activity? How do I know something is Suspicious? What should I do?

Usually we can trust our instincts - if something doesn´t feel right or look right - It probably isn´t. What to do? Call the police; DO NOT intervene or attempt to act in the capacity of a police officer, as the culprits may be dangerous. Record as much detail as possible regarding the suspicious person and any vehicle involved and provide this information when calling the police. The following list may give you some guidance recognising suspicious activity.

• Unfamiliar persons loitering in your neighbourhood.
• Slow moving vehicles that circle the block or unfamiliar parked vehicles especially if someone remains in them.
• Unusual noises, screams, glass breaking, barking dogs, etc.
• Persons going from door to door (especially back doors).
• Persons looking in parked cars.

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ONE LAST REMINDER

If you are a member of Block Watch, call the Police, NOT your Block Watch Captain or Coordinator. Be sure to tell your Captain later though, so that they can call our Block Watch Office and keep the lines of communication open. If your Block Captain later advises our office of your complaints to police, we check for a pattern of frequency or location and that could be the basis for information updates.

REMEMBER.... PROMPTLY REPORT...."ANY".... SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY, SUSPICIOUS PERSONS, SUSPICIOUS VEHICLES TO THE POLICE!!

Look out for / help one another!

Have You Ever Considered Starting a Block Watch?
Click here to find out how!

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Contact Information

For further information on the program in New Westminster, contact the Block Watch Co-ordinator at 604-529-2446.

Comments? Questions?

E-mail the Block Watch Coordinator!