Maricopa residents learn how to set up neighborhood Block Watch programs

“It’s time to take control of your neighborhood;” that’s the message Cpl. Kent Ogaard gave to the nearly 35 Maricopa residents who came to Maricopa Wells Middle School Thursday to find out how to organize a neighborhood Block Watch.

Ogaard asked: “Do you know who your neighbors are? Do you know what kind of car they drive? How many kids they have? Where they work? Where they vacation and when?” If you can’t answer these questions, you need to find out. “The goal of Block Watch is to get everybody on the same page,” Ogaard added.

Present at the organizational meeting were residents from Tortosa, Maricopa Meadows, Senita, Glenwilde, Cobblestone Farms and Acacia Crossings. They came to find out what types of information should be shared with their neighbors.

A lot of crime goes unreported, and we can’t address it if it’s not reported,” said Ogaard, who is the PCSO Maricopa school resource officer. In fact, each year about 10 million serious crimes, more than half the national total, go unreported. That’s why the Block Watch program was initiated.

“Law enforcement is totally outnumbered; we need your help,” Ogaard added. He cautioned that Block Watch is not a vigilante group. “It’s your neighbors working to solve problems and prevent problems in our community; you are our eyes and ears.”

Ogaard also offered several home security tips:

Never let any stranger into your home.

When you are on vacation, have your mail and newspapers held. ( A pile of old newspapers on your driveway indicates you are not at home.)

Don’t forget to lock the interior door leading into your house from the garage.

Reset the signal on your garage door opener and don’t leave the garage open for crooks to see what you have in there.

Install dead bolt locks on entry doors.

Make certain that house numbers are always readable by emergency personnel.

Secure and lock up all guns

Keep a list (outside the home in a safety deposit box) of registration numbers for big, valuable items. Use an inexpensive etcher to add your own numbers in an isolate spot on the item (Operation Identification).

Never use your social security number on items of value that might be stolen:

Ogaard recalled a stolen property call. The owner proudly recounted that he had put his own registration numbers on his television. He gave the deputy the numbers. “That’s a really long number like a social security number,” said Ogaard. The property owner admitted that it was.

So,” noted Ogaard, “the crooks got his TV and also his identity.”

“We applaud your efforts,” Ogaard told the group. “It’s great to see you stand up. You do this without pay–the true heroes are you.”

For further Block Watch information, contact Sgt. Stormy Wallace via