As someone who experienced a situation reflective of the uptick in local crime, I want to do something to fight back. I want to do whatever I can to help our community as a whole.
Although the police force is short on staff (and is in the process of hiring more officers), we, as neighbors, can come together and do our part to try to eradicate crime from our neighborhoods by participating in Block Watch.
Block Watch is a program offered by the Issaquah Police Department for residents, inspired by the National Neighborhood Watch founded by the National Sherrifs’ Association in the early ‘70s. At that time, the unity and cohesion of traditional neighborhoods were deteriorating as people became more mobile and life was faster paced.
Criminals took advantage of the situation and moved in and out of neighborhoods without causing suspicion or alarm. Law enforcement was not able to keep up with the rise in crime.
After the implementation of the Neighborhood Watch in communities across America, cases of burglary decreased by as much as 75% in some areas.
People want to assume an active role in making their communities safe, and a key reason the program is a success is because citizens work with law enforcement instead of solely relying on law enforcement to combat crime.
Other issues Block Watch can address are drug awareness, personal safety, first aid, fire prevention, disaster preparedness, city planning, and street construction and repair. The program, aside from keeping crime at bay, instills a greater sense of security, well-being and community that puts the word neighbor back into neighborhood.
To participate, contact Krista Owen at 425-891-1545 or at kristalynowen@gmail.com. Join the Facebook page where much of the communication will take place as the program is launched.
Note: Block Watch is not a citizen’s patrol or vigilante force, nor is it designed for participants to take personal risks to prevent crime.
