Block Watch can help protect your neighborhood

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A good neighbor is one of the best crime prevention tools ever. Neighbors working together in cooperation with local law enforcement make a great crime-fighting team. That team is called Block Watch.

You may have heard this program referred to as neighborhood watch, citizen crime watch or home alert in various locales. The idea is the same no matter what the program is called. Crime continues to increase each year, and sheriff’s deputies cannot be everywhere at once.

The most proactive approach is to stop crime before it occurs. This can happen when neighbors get to know each other and decide to develop a program of mutual assistance.

If you think your neighborhood would benefit from Block Watch, talk to your neighbors. Explain that Block Watch is a partnership with local law enforcement. You do not have to attend frequent meetings or apprehend suspicious individuals.

Step one is to contact the local Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), letting them know that your neighborhood would like to start a Block Watch program. The contact person in Maricopa is Sergeant Lupe Ybarra, who may be reached at (520) 568-2233. The PCSO will send someone to meet with you and your neighbors to talk about organizing a Block Watch. Deputies will also train residents in reporting skills and police procedures.

Block Watch members put decals in their windows. When at least 50% of the households in the area are enrolled, they generally post signs on their streets to warn criminals that they are neighbors who watch out for one another.

A Block Watch coordinator should be selected as well as block captains who organize meetings and relay information to members. Keep informed about new residents in your area who may want to join your Block Watch group.

Participants learn to make their homes more secure, to write down descriptions and license plate numbers and to report suspicious activities in the neighborhood.

Block Watch achieves two major goals. It builds a sense of community. It also provides the PSCO with extra ears and eyes to help prevent crime.

Be proactive. Get involved in stopping crime before it begins. Organize a Block Watch in your neighborhood.

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The Hacienda homes area of Rancho El Dorado participates in Block Watch for their neighborhood.