WELCOME

The Henson Seniors Block Watch (HSBW) is a community group of active senior residents who deter and detect crime and suspicious behavior reporting to the PHOENIX Police Department (PHX PD) to eliminate crimes and the risks of burglaries, vandalism, personal assault, and fraud. We take control of our neighborhood so criminals cannot.

In our Block Watch, neighbors get to know each other and work together in a mutual assistance program. Residents learn to recognize and report suspicious activities by implementing crime prevention techniques, such as home security, Operation ID, vehicle security, and others.

Our Mission Statement

The Henson Seniors Block Watch aims to make our community safer by looking out for each other and watching to detect and report criminal and suspicious activity to the PHOENIX Police Department (PHX PD) to help prevent crime, project sustainability, and awareness.

The Partnership

The Henson Seniors Block Watch cooperates in partnership with the PHOENIX Police Department (PHX PD). Our Community Action Officer (CAO) is Officer Jan Rollon, 51 Precinct.

Objectives and Goals

Improve the quality of life within our neighborhood by educating senior residents to work together on crime prevention in partnership with the PHX PD.
Coordinate community meetings to educate senior residents on crime prevention and employ safety techniques from training with Officer Jan Rollon, Community Action Officer (CAO).

What are the ideal characteristics of a Block Watch Captain?

Every neighborhood and Block Watch Officer, Captain, and Co-Captains are unique. The ideal Block Watch Officer and Captain would have the following attributes:

An outgoing personality that genuinely cares about people.
A sincere desire to better the neighborhood.
Live in the community where they are Captain.
Do not have a criminal record.
Organized and detail-orientated.
Creative and willing to try new things.
Excellent communication skills.

What are the responsibilities of the Henson Seniors Block Watch Members?

Every resident participating in the Block Watch plays a significant role in the program's success.

Residents members should:

Learn neighbors’ names and be able to recognize them and their vehicles.

Keep a copy of the neighborhood Block Watch Resident Reference (aka telephone tree) and neighborhood map in an easily accessible place and update it with current information.

Attend Block Watch meetings and activities.

Be alert to unusual or suspicious behavior in your neighborhood, utilize your phone tree, and inform your Block Watch Captain. Call the police department if warranted Emergency Only 9-1-1 and Non-emergencies (602) 262-6151.

Do not take any risks to prevent a crime or try to make an arrest. Remember, your job is to report the crime. Apprehending criminals is the responsibility of the professionals at the Police Department.

Display Block Watch window decals in a prominent place at your home.

Watch your neighbors’ homes when they are away. Ask them to return the favor. This includes picking up mail/newspapers and discarding garbage cans if left out. Do not leave signals that say, “no one is home.”

You should schedule a Home Security Survey by calling a Crime Prevention Specialist. It is crucial that you implement any recommendations that they offer.

Above all, become involved. It is the most effective way to reduce/prevent crime and make your neighborhood safe.

Why do I need to know my neighbors?

Getting to know your neighbors, their families, their habits, etc., is one of the most important aspects of a successful Block Watch Program. Knowing these aspects of your neighbors’ lives will allow you to respond effectively to most emergency situations. This may help you to prevent a crime or even save a life. After all, how will you know if something is “out of the ordinary” if you do not know what is “ordinary”?

Remember, the Block Watch

Does not ask that anyone take personal risks to prevent crime.

Does not take the responsibility of apprehending criminals where it belongs with the police department.

In an Emergency or to report suspicious activity, call 9-1-1

To report a crime or non-emergency,

(602) 262-6151

Silent Witness 480-WITNESS

OPERATION IDENTIFICATION (A burglary prevention tool)

Operation Identification (Operation ID) is a citizen’s burglary prevention program for homes and businesses. The Operation ID program involves marking property with an identifying number to discourage burglary and theft. It also provides police with a way to identify property should it be stolen and recovered. In communities where it has been properly implemented, Operation ID has shown dramatic results in burglary reduction in communities where it has been properly implemented.