Neighborhood BlockWatch
What is the Neighborhood Block Watch Program?
Neighborhood block watch is not new to Forest Park. With the assistance of concerned citizens, police department personnel and city council, the Forest Park Neighborhood Block Watch Program was "officially" established in 1982.
The Neighborhood Block Watch philosophy is residents of the community taking a stand against crime, drugs, fear of crime, social and physical disorder and overall neighborhood decay. The goal is to improve the overall quality of life in their neighborhood by simply looking out for one another and assisting the Forest Park Police Department with the identifying and reporting of crime, and moreover, assisting with solutions to incidents in their neighborhood.
How Does Neighborhood Block Watch Work?
The prevention and detection of crime in a neighborhood is best done by the citizens who live there. Usually, the police do not "know" your neighbors like you do; their habits, friends, relatives, vehicles, etc. The best qualified people to watch out for a neighborhood are those who live in it. The police may drive by and see a car in your or your neighbor's driveway and have no clue it does not belong there, but you or your neighbor would. If you do not know your neighbor, get to know them; it could prevent a crime or save a life.
Why Should I Become a Member of Block Watch?
In a few words, because history shows that it works. Even back in the 1820s it was known that citizens themselves play a vital role in crime prevention. A great example goes back to 1829 and Sir Robert Peel. Sir Robert Peel is best remembered for his founding of the London police force in 1829 and the development of what is known as Peel's Nine Principles of Policing. His seventh principle:
"The police are the public and the public are the police. The police being the only members of the public that are paid to give full-time attention to the duties which are incumbent on every citizen, in the interests of community welfare and existence."
In five out of the nine principles Peel refers to the public. What Peel knew then, and what we continue to strive for today, was the importance of having the public involved with the prevention and detection of crime within their neighborhoods, plus the citizens involvement with the development and implementation of a solution.
How Do I Become A Member of Block Watch?
Now that you have been refreshed on the importance of being involved and knowing your neighbors, you must want to know what is takes to become a part of this crime-fighting force. It is very simple. Fill out an application and mail it in. Once your application is processed successfully, you will be a member of the Forest Park Neighborhood Block Watch.
The Block Watch meets every third Wednesday of each month in the Senior Center located at 11555 Winton Road. Meet topics include, but not limited to: crimes occurring in the city, training, awareness information, tours and programs or activities Block Watch are involved in. If you would like even more information, please contact the Forest Park Police Crime Prevention office at (513) 595-5220.
Functions and Services
| Code Red Emergency Notification System Sign-up |
Related Pages of Interest
| 2010 Annual Police Report | Crime Prevention | Forest Park Block Watch Application |
