Block Watch

Crime prevention should be a community commitment.  The Oregon Police Division is promoting and helping to form Neighborhood Block Watches with the citizens of Oregon. It allows residents to act as the eyes and ears of the Police Division.  Though they have a significant presence in our community, police officers cannot be everywhere at all the time. Expanding residential populations and business sectors ultimately place greater and greater demands on the police division's limited resources.  These factors stress the police division's effectiveness. The Oregon Police Division depends on community support to help make our neighborhoods and businesses crime free. The fact is, the police alone can not control crime. We need the help of an alert and concerned public. Safe streets and neighborhoods are everybody's concern and Neighborhood Block Watch provides a way for everybody to be involved in the fight against crime.

Block Watch establishes a network for citizens to exchange ideas and information with their neighbors and the police.  Through neighborhood meetings, residents learn how to become the eyes and ears of the police division, reporting unusual or suspicious activity in their area to the police.

Under no circumstances are Block Watch participants asked to perform any law enforcement activities.  This is the job of the police division.  There are no tasks that would subject any block watch participant to risk.  Most block watch activities are performed in the course of everyday activities around their neighborhoods.  Being a Block Watch participant does not detract from working schedules or leisure time.

The Oregon Police Division is not currently conducting any organized Block Watch programs in the City of Oregon.  If you feel your neighborhood is in need of a Block Watch, you should contact the Oregon Police Division by means of our FaceBook or Twitter sites, or contacting Assistant Chief Magdich directly by email, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or by phone at 419-698-7059.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Who conducts the Block Watch Meetings?
A. The initial Block watch meetings are conducted by the Community Policing Officers who are well-trained and experienced in crime prevention techniques, organizational skills and community leadership.  Once the plans are laid, volunteers are needed to get the program started and to keep it moving in the right direction.

Q. Won't this program just result in a lot of unnecessary calls to the police?
A. No. Remember that this is your neighborhood and you are the best judge as to what may or may not be normal activity for your neighborhood.  It is better to let trained Police Officers make the determination even if your call turns out to be a false alarm. Block Watch participants receive instruction on what constitutes a real emergency as opposed to something that requires routine police attention.

Q. My Neighborhood seems to be crime free. Should we start a Block Watch?
A. Remember, just because a neighborhood appears to be crime free does not make it immune from crime. Criminal activity knows no geographic boundary. Crime is not the only issue that detracts from a neighborhood's quality of life. The police division provides liaison and service to ensure the community quality of life standard.

Q. How do we start a Neighborhood Block Watch?
A. Contact the Community Policing Section of the Oregon Police Division at (419) 698-7103.

Citizens Police Academy

In an effort to educate the general public about the Oregon Police Division and its policies and procedures, the division now hosts the Oregon Police Citizens Police Academy.  Officers who teach in this academy hope to dispel myths, suspicions and misconceptions about the police division and law enforcement in general.

 Class size is usually limited.  Students cannot have a serious record and must live or work in the Oregon area.  Students of this academy are not given any police powers upon graduation, but they usually come away with a new appreciation of the responsibilities of the men and women of the Oregon Police Division.  The academy, which meets one night a week for ten (10) weeks, is typically taught by officers within the division who have developed special talents in various facets of law enforcement.

A Citizens Police Academy is held when there is an interest expressed by community members.  This is done to ensure a worthwhile class size.  Interested citizens can communicate such to the department on our FaceBook or Twitter sites, or by contacting Assistant Chief Magdich directly by email, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or by phone at 419-698-7059.

Some presentations students may expect:

• Laws of Arrest and Procedures
• Court/Domestic Violence Laws
• Juvenile Section/Dare & School Resource Officers
• Self Defense/Use of Force
• SRT- Special Response Team
• Traffic Enforcement/DUI/Radar/Scales
• Investigations/Vice
• Firearms Range
• Community Policing/Special Services

Students are required to provide their personal information and sign a waiver of liability before starting the academy.  For more information about the Citizens Police Academy contact the Oregon Police Community Policing Section  (419) 698-7103.

Juvenile Diversion Program

The ACHIEVE Juvenile Diversion program seeks to employ a broad-based, comprehensive approach to juvenile delinquency and unruliness by applying the principles of restorative justice.  After committing a non-violent delinquent offense or an unruly act, a juvenile is referred to the ACHIEVE program instead of being charged through county juvenile court system.

The juvenile will be required to complete a contract, which may include the performance of community service, mentoring or life-skills training, family education, asset building, addiction services, substance abuse testing, counseling, restitution, and letters of apology.  Once all tenets of the individually tailored contract are completed, the juvenile is released from the program and will not be charged criminally.  The program is designed to promote a sense of responsibility to one's community, one's family and one's self.

Who can participate?

Any youth in the City of Oregon or the Oregon City School District between the ages of 7 and 17 who has committed a non-violent misdemeanor or status offense. Government agencies, pastors, service organizations, teachers, parents and relatives may make referrals through the Oregon Police Division.

What happens after the referral?

A case manager will contact the youth and the parents. Once a commitment is made, the parents, the child and the case manager will develop a contract. The contract will be designed to address the offense as well as individual or family needs.

What happens after the contract is completed?

Successful completion of the contract will result in increased assets of the youth, a mentoring relationship with members of the community, and no criminal record.

If you know of someone or some family who could benefit from ACHIEVE please contact the ACHIEVE office at the following address or phone number.

ACHIEVE
Juvenile Diversion Program
Oregon Police Division
5330 Seaman Rd
Oregon, OH 43616
(419) 698-7103 or (419) 698-7188 phone    (419) 698-8617 fax
email: Lt. Hank Everitt