Block Watch
Committee Member:
- Lying Chu
Useful Information
Please watch this site for specific information regarding our neighborhood. We have to be vigilant of our surroundings and report any suspicious activities to the authorities. Also please, please remember this is a service. HOA is not a law enforcement agency, hence it will be prudent to report any "threatening" activity to the officials by calling 911, first. One can also send an email to our block watch captain Lying Chu ([email protected]).
The Snohomish County Blockwatch Program we attended at the end of September, had some very sage advice for us.
Some of the other things they recommend for us, as individuals, are the following:
The following is some contact information to the Sheriff's Dept.
Please watch this site for specific information regarding our neighborhood. We have to be vigilant of our surroundings and report any suspicious activities to the authorities. Also please, please remember this is a service. HOA is not a law enforcement agency, hence it will be prudent to report any "threatening" activity to the officials by calling 911, first. One can also send an email to our block watch captain Lying Chu ([email protected]).
The Snohomish County Blockwatch Program we attended at the end of September, had some very sage advice for us.
- Take walks through your neighborhood - Say hello to those you pass. Bad guys don't want to be noticed. But never be confrontational.
- Take pictures or video of suspicious activity. Regarding this, if anyone is looking for a video system the speaker mentioned specifically that the videos being sold at COSTCO were a good deal. He also stated that you can also have video alerts sent to your email on your computer or phone whenever someone rings your doorbell.
- Keep a journal where you can record dates, times and note events as they occur. Record license plate numbers, details about cars and suspicious persons. Some details that are especially helpful are: what does the suspect look like (shoes are also very good descriptors, as well as physical features such as gender, height, weight, race, approx. age and any physical impairments, tattoos, piercings, etc.), what was he/she driving and get the license plate (even partial plates are helpful).
- Have visible neighborhood watch signs installed. Anything that conveys to predators that we are an alert, vigilant community will help to deter them.
Some of the other things they recommend for us, as individuals, are the following:
- Trim your bushes and trees so that burglars can't hide behind them.
- Consider installing an alarm system. Regarding this, they specifically mentioned that having an AUDIBLE alarm was very important, not necessarily that the alarm be monitored by a service. This is because an audible alarm will alert both the burglar AND your neighbors.
- Leave your front and back porch lights on every night.
- Put Neighborhood Watch warning decals on your windows - I believe the HOA will mention this for the upcoming community meeting.
- Record your valuables. Engrave your DRIVER'S Licence number, take photos or videotape them.
The following is some contact information to the Sheriff's Dept.
- Sheriff's Office Tip Line (425) 388-3845 : If you have information about a crime or suspicious activity that is not in progress, and you wish to remain anonymous.
- [email protected] - the Neighborhood Watch program email to find out information on its next blockwatch program, or for materials about the program.
- http://sheriff.snoco.org/ - scroll down to "Crime Reports" and click on "Free Crime Alerts" on the upper right corner to receive free email crime alerts. You can also find out about recent crimes by going through the "Crime Reports" section.