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.

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.