FAQs • Fife, WA • CivicEngage

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Block Watch

1. What is Block Watch?: Block Watch is a national program that is based on the principle of neighbors working together as the first and best line of defense against crime. Block Watch has been shown to be an effective deterrent to crime at the neighborhood level. Fife has always been recognized for its Block Watch program.

Block Watch organizes and extends what you are probably already doing on an informal level. We tend to know and watch out for our neighbors next door, but neighbors at one end of the block may not know the neighbors at the other end of the block. Organizing a Block Watch makes this attitude of watchfulness more systematic, and provides a block map with neighbors’ names and telephone numbers that can be used in case of an emergency.

Block Watch is simple to create and can improve the security of your neighborhood while also increase your sense of community.

3. Is Block Watch a lot of extra work?

Block Watch doesn’t require you to perform any special tasks, attend lots of meetings or take on extra responsibilities. You don’t have to patrol the neighborhood or tell your neighbors every aspect of your business. Block Watch just involves being alert and vigilant as a part of your everyday life.

All it requires is that you and your neighbors be familiar enough with each other to know who belongs in the neighborhood and who doesn’t, which cars are a part of the neighborhood and which aren’t, recognize when something suspicious is going on and be a little more observant of changes in your surroundings. Block Watch is simply watching out for one another!