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BLOCK CLUB ORGANIZING HANDBOOK - MINNEAPOLIS (MN) AND ST PAUL (MN) VERSIONS

NCJ Number
54101
Author(s)
ANON
Date Published
1978
Length
32 pages
Annotation
THE ORGANIZATION OF BLOCK PROGRAMS TO DEAL WITH CRIME AS A COMMUNITY PREVENTION EFFORT IS DESCRIBED IN THIS HANDBOOK.
Abstract
THE FOLLOWING REASONS FOR ORGANIZING BLOCK CLUBS ARE CITED: CRIME IS MORE THAN AN INDIVIDUAL'S PROBLEM; THERE IS STRENGTH IN NUMBERS; PEOPLE NEED TO BE BROUHT OUT OF ISOLATION; IT IS AT THE BLOCK LEVEL WHERE PEOPLE CAN EASILY SEE AND RECOGNIZE THE UNUSUAL, CAN COOPERATE IN CRIME-RELATED EFFORTS, AND TEND TO HAVE THE MOST VESTED INTEREST; AND BLOCK CLUBS ARE EFFECTIVE. SUCH CLUBS CAN PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR PEOPLE TO BECOME ACQUAINTED, AN OPPORTUNITY TO SHARE CONCERNS AND ACT AS A SUPPORT GROUP, A FORUM FOR EDUCATION, A CHANCE TO TALK WITH THE POLICE AND BUILDING INSPECTORS, AND A MECHANISM FOR IMPLEMENTING ACTIVITIES. THE JOB OF A BLOCK CLUB ORGANIZER IS TO BE AWARE OF VARIOUS FACTORS THAT MIGHT MAKE ORGANIZING AND INVOLVING PEOPLE DIFFICULT, TO RESPOND TO NEGATIVE ATTITUDES THAT MIGHT BE EXPRESSED BY BLOCK RESIDENTS TOWARD ORGANIZING CLUBS OR TOWARD CRIME PREVENTION, TO MAKE PEOPLE AWARE OF PROBLEMS AND THE FACT THAT THERE ARE SOLUTIONS, TO LISTEN TO COMMUNITY CONCERNS AND TO GET PEOPLE TO ATTEND AN INITIAL BLOCK CLUB MEETING. PROCEDURES FOR FORMULATING THE CONTENT OF BLOCK CLUB MEETINGS AND FOR RECRUITING BLOCK MEMBERS ARE OUTLINED, ALONG WITH A MEETING AGENDA. TYPES OF ACTIVITIES BLOCK MEMBERS CAN BECOME INVOLVED WITH ARE NOTED, INCLUDING SURVEILLANCE (NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH), WITNESSING AND REPORTING, ALERTING NEIGHBORS WHEN A CRIME HAS OCCURRED, PREMISE SECURITY SURVEYS, AND PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION. (DEP)