National Night Out BlockWatch party

Help fight crime by joining this community program. Neighbors helping neighbors...

HOW TO ORGANIZE

A NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCKWATCH

•  Identify areas to be organized into a BlockWatch group. Areas should be limited to 15 or fewer households.
• Designate at least one resident from the group to serve as BlockWatch Captain. If there are two interested people, the second can serve as co-captain. The captain and co-captain will be the contact person(s) between the BlockWatch group and the Centralia Police Department (CPD).
• The BlockWatch Captain should make arrangements with CPD regarding the date, time, and location of an initial neighborhood BlockWatch meeting. A police officer will attend the meeting and will bring important information, brochures, and current crime statistics.
• The BlockWatch Captain will be asked to follow-up and distribute literature to households not present at the meeting.
• Each household is encouraged to identify appropriate valuables, engrave a unique mark using an engraving pen, and list valuables and serial numbers on a form provided by CPD. Do not use social security numbers.
• Metal street signs identifying the area as a BlockWatch Neighborhood may be erected by the Centralia Street Department at each end of the block once the majority of households have completed property identification.
• BlockWatch groups are encouraged to hold neighborhood meetings as needed. The CPD Volunteer Coordinator will provide quarterly newsletters which will contain information and current crime statistics.
• BlockWatch groups are encouraged to participate in the annual “National Night Out Against Crime” sponsored by CPD and Riverside Fire Authority. BlockWatch groups may request that their street be closed for the event to allow them to hold a “BlockWatch party” in the street. The police and fire departments visit each party throughout the evening.
• For more information, please contact CPD: Officer Clary, dclary@cityofcentralia.com, or CPD Volunteer Coordinator/CSO Jennifer Krueger, JKrueger@cityofcentralia.com.

National Night Out: The first Tuesday in August from 6-9 PM.