Block Watch
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What is Block Watch? Block Watch is a free, community-based, crime prevention program aimed at helping residents organize their neighbourhoods to prevent crime in the community. Participants report suspicious activities to the Police. Block Watch is a great way to get to know your neighbours and is a cornerstone to a safe and vibrant community.
Contacts
For more information, please call 604-207-4790.
Who Can Join?
To form a Block Watch, someone must volunteer to become the Block Captain. All Captains must be security cleared by the RCMP.
For a copy of the downloadable RCMP Block Watch Security Clearance form, click the link below.
Block Watch Captain's Duties:
1. Please go door-to-door in the area that you would like to include in your group, and ask people if they are interested in joining Block Watch. If yes, ask for their name, street address, phone number, and e-mail address. Let them know Block Watch will use their telephone number and e-mail address to notify them regarding neighbourhood residential break and enters.
2. Ask people to report criminal or suspicious activity to the Police. Block Watch doesn't want anyone patrolling or approaching suspicious people themselves. If a suspect(s) is present, call 9-1-1. If no suspect(s) present, call 604 278-1212.
3. After you have collected your group’s information, submit it to the Block Watch office. We will add the information to our database and print a copy of your group’s list for you to distribute to each neighbour listed. (Let people know that their personal information will be shared with the group - if they prefer not to share the info just let us know and we will keep it confidential.)
4. We will provide you with an information package to distribute to each of your group including insurance cards. Please let the people who join know that they may be eligible for a 5 - 15% discount when renewing their home insurance as Block Watch members. Information packages are available in English and Chinese, please let us know how many copies of each you require.
5. If you want a Block Watch sign installed, please draw a map of your group’s area indicating where the Block Watch street sign(s) are to be installed. Give the map to the Block Watch staff. The City’s Sign Dept will install the sign(s).
6. Twice a year, we will deliver newsletters to you and ask you to deliver them to your group.
7. When new residents move into the area, invite them to join your Block Watch group. Update your Street Map and send the new information to the Block Watch office.
If you are interested in starting a Block Watch group or for more information, fill out our Online Block Watch Application Form.
Please use the 
Home Photo Inventory -1109333 form.
Block Watch's Telephone Fan-out System
The Block Watch staff reviews the RCMP residential break and enter files, and records the information (date, time, point of entry) which is distributed to Block Watch participants via a recorded telephone message. This information allows participants to be aware of neighbourhood criminal activity and if they know anything about the crime, we ask them to call the Police. Remember: If there is a suspect present, call 9-1-1. If there is no suspect present, call the RCMP's non-emergency number, 604-278-1212.
Block Watch's E-mail Fan-out System
The Block Watch staff reviews the RCMP residential break and enter files, and records the information (date, time, point of entry) which is distributed to registered Richmond citizens of that neighbourhood via e-mail. This information allows participants to be aware of neighbourhood criminal activity and if they know anything about the crime, we ask them to call the Police. To register your e-mail address to receive neighbourhood residential break and enter e-mail alerts, please e-mail blockwatch@richmond.ca. Remember: If there is a suspect present, call 9-1-1. If there is no suspect present, call the RCMP's non-emergency number, 604-278-1212.
Safe neighbourhoods aren't built,
they are made safe by the people who live in them!
Block Watch Newsletters
