Your safety: How to start a block watch group

SEATTLE — Both violent crime and property crime were up last year in Seattle.

Across the state, people are using block watches to keep an eye on what’s happening in their neighborhood.

So how do you join or start one, and how are they different from an app such as Nextdoor?

First, reach out to your police department. Officers can connect you if there’s an existing group nearby. If there isn’t, then you’ll want to decide on a location to meet in the area, whether virtual or in-person.

It could be at a home, community center or any central location. Then, invite people in the neighborhood.

At the meeting, police will discuss recent crime and crime trends, including new tactics thieves are using.

They’ll also talk about crime prevention measures, and the group will create a list of neighbors with contact information.

Members can stay in touch through phone, text, email, a Facebook group or other method. Having options is great, because not everyone is active on social media and may shy away from having to use a site or app such as Nextdoor.

If a neighbor has questions, the block watch captain can get answers from police, or have the officer come back for another meeting.

Police are also warning people about giving out personal information in ways that they may not think about.

Officers say some bumper stickers give out too much information, such as where your kids go to school, activities that suggest where you might be on nights or weekends, which sports items thieves might find in your garage, and the fact that you have a small dog that wouldn’t be threatening to a burglar.

With people traveling more, police are also reminding social media users not to make posts that tell everyone you’re away from home. It’s easy for someone to look up an address, and if you’re posting that you’re on vacation in Hawaii, for instance, that makes it a great time to burglarize your house.

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