Invest in Neighborhoods Inc. Invest in Neighborhoods Inc.
Neighborhood Asset Inventory
Recruiting Your Neighbors To Participate
Tips For Doorknocking
Block Watchers
Every citizen should be a BLOCK WATCHER . . . a concerned, public-spirited citizen who observes criminal activities in his or her neighborhood and reports that information to the Police Department. A BLOCK WATCHER'S objective is just to watch his/her adopted block and, if observing criminal or unusual activities, to report those activities with no further action being necessary.
The security of the City and its citizens depends upon the people themselves. No police department can effectively protect life and property without the support and cooperation of the citizens it serves.
The BLOCK WATCHERS program establishes a formal network for concerned citizens to report an emergency or criminal activity to the Cincinnati Police Division. The police need your help, your eyes and your ears. Criminals are less likely to operate in areas where the citizens are alert. Our goal is to give potential criminals the feeling that everyone in the community is watching them.
THE CITY OF CINCINNATI NEEDS YOUR HELP.
ADOPT YOUR BLOCK.
Here is how it works . . . persons wishing to become BLOCK WATCHERS should
contact the Crime Prevention Officer of their local district or a member of your respective Community Council. To contact a District Crime Prevention Officer, call:
District 1 352-3505 or 352-2978 District 2 352-3592 or 352-3901 District 3 352-3574 or 352-3938 District 4 352-3576 or 352-3902 District 5 352-3578 or 352-3903
Training sessions will be scheduled by the Police Division. We will give professional instruction so that each BLOCK WATCHER will know what to look for, how to describe what he or she sees, and, finally, how to report the incident to the police.
Cincinnati Police Division BLOCK WATCHERS are given a specific identification number which they will use when calling. The Police Communication Section will process calls from BLOCK WATCHERS in a prompt and efficient manner. BLOCK WATCHERS are to call 765-1212 to report suspicious or unusual situations. If an emergency exists, call 911.
Here is an example of a Cincinnati Police Division BLOCK WATCHER card:
BLOCK WATCHER BLOCK WATCH NUMBER ________________ DATE ____________________ NAME _____________________________________________________ ADDRESS __________________________________________________ CITY/STATE/ZIP _____________________________________________ TELEPHONE NO. ____________________________________________ CINCINNATI POLICE DIVISION EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBER _____________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________ EMERGENCIES ONLY CALL (911) -- OR --765-1212
Only the Crime Prevention Officer of the local District and the supervisor on duty at the Police Communication Section will have a list of BLOCK WATCHERS. The patrol officers assigned to your complaint will not know your identity. If more information is needed, the Police Communications Section will call the BLOCK WATCHER back. In this way, a BLOCK WATCHER remains anonymous.
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
CALL 765-1212 OR 911
(Note: Remember that by calling 911 you are automatically giving your identity.)
Any time you want a Police Officer to respond to your location, call 765-1212 or 911.
USE YOUR BLOCK WATCHER NUMBER WHEN REPORTING.
Police Officer in Burglary Assault Need of Assistance Homicide Purse Snatching Tampering with Auto Person with a Weapon Holdup Vandalism Vehicle Accident Gunshots Any unusual, possibly, criminal, situation
In case of fire or explosion, serious injury, or odor of gas, call the Fire Department at 911. (Note: Remember that by calling 911, you are automatically revealing your identity and location.)
This list is not intended to include all emergency cases, but to give you a guide as to when to call 765-1212 or 911.
When calling Police Communications about an emergency, do not hang up until told to do so.
What to do if the Police do not respond in a reasonable amount of time or the dispatcher demands to know your name after advising him of your BLOCK WATCHER number:
1. Ask to speak to a supervisor. 2. Record the date and time of call. 3. Notify your District Crime Prevention Officer as soon as possible.
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