As a Captain or Co-Captain:
 

All Captains and Co-Captains must be:

• at least 19 years old
• willing and able to pass an RCMP Police Information Check*
• a resident of Kamloops

The Block Watch Society of BC (the Society) requires only an initial Police Information Check of all Captains and Co-Captains. To remain in good standing under the Society, Captains and Co-Captains have, in addition to any local requirement for updating their Police Information Check, a duty to disclose any negative police contact or any other incident that may reflect poorly on the Captain or Co-captain's municipality and/or their respective police authority and/or the Society. Failure to adhere to this policy to disclose may result in immediate removal from the Block Watch program.

Sessions are scheduled as needed by the City's Crime Prevention Coordinator. City staff will outline the Block Watch program as well as the responsibilities of the Block Captains, Co-Captains, and participants. Captains will receive the materials they need to organize and activate their Block Watch program. 

Contact our Crime Prevention team, to set up an orientation session.

All Block Watch Captains and Co-Captains must pass an RCMP Police Information Check. 

Information on how to complete this will be provided at an orientation session or you can download and submit the required applications. Both the Block Watch application and the RCMP Police Information Check application are required.

Block Watch Application     RCMP Police Information Check

The Block Watch program provides training, tools, and tips to help reduce crime in your neighbourhood, including property crime, thefts from motor vehicles, and personal safety. 

Neighbours meet to create a sense of ‘community’, and to also create a common bond with one another regarding crime prevention. Every meeting should be considered as important as the first! Block Watch groups should meet formally at least once a year to renew acquaintances and meet new neighbours. It is also useful to review block problems and find solutions. Occasionally, new Captains and Co-Captains can be selected at these meetings.

These meetings can also be used to educate the block about the program and pass on security advice received from the Block Watch office. 

Fanouts are a method of contacting neighbours to inform them of any incidents, crime trends, suspicious activity, and updated Block Watch information.

It is the Captain’s and Co-Captain’s responsibility to keep everyone informed and aware of what is going on in your neighbourhood.

The Block Captain may wish to set up a telephone tree. It is a system where Block Watch members are assigned to call other members with information. This lessens the burden on the Captain or Co-Captain and helps speed up communication.

Email communication is as simple as a touch, set up “group email”.

Newsletters are an important communication tool. Deliver them to participants personally. This gives you another opportunity to exchange information with them. It also helps you keep tabs on what’s happening on your block.

Decals, manuals, and other handouts are available at no cost. Block homes can borrow an engraver from their coordinator to mark their valuables. After a participant has engraved their valuables, they can obtain Block Watch decals from their Captain or Co-Captain. The decals are displayed at entrance ways to show that valuables are marked for police identification.

Stay in contact with your Block Watch office. Ensure that they have an updated Block Watch map, with current names and phone numbers.

The office will also photocopy your maps and lists, if need be, so you can distribute them to your block. Report any crimes or suspicious activity that occurs on your block to the Police first, ask for a fi le number and then advise the Block Watch office.

Contact new neighbours who move onto the block, invite them to join the program and forward information to them. Encourage participants to inform you when they witness suspicious activities, crimes or any other block problems.

Remind them to call the Police first, ask for a file number then advise the Captain or Co-Captain, who will in turn inform the Block Watch office.