Somali Community Access Network

Each day crime and the fear of crime threaten communities.   Residents change 
their plans and lifestyles based on the fear of going out after dark.   Parents and 
children are afraid to use local parks where criminals meet and businesses refuse 
to put shops in areas they believe are unsafe.   It often seems as if nothing can be 
done to make neighborhoods safer places in which to live and work.  The 
blockwatch can help solve these problems.
Today, community policing allows the police and residents to work together to 
solve issues involving crime and social concerns in their community.  
Blockwatches are one of the original foundations of community policing and are 
referred to as the eyes and ears of law enforcement.  Members look out for 
neighbors and their property and report suspicious activities to the police.
But, blockwatches are more than looking out for suspicious activity in 
neighborhoods.  Through community mobilization, neighbors, businesses, coworkers and students form an active partnership in the community.   Watches 
allow individuals the opportunity to discover common interests and goals that 
they share with their neighbors.   The residents work to prevent the possibility of 
crime in their area and develop a sense of community spirit that encourages more 
activism.