Division of Police
Neighborhood Block Club Program
Block Club Captains Information
The role of the Block Club Captain is frequently misunderstood. The Block Club Captain is not the person who is responsible for keeping crime off the block.
Being alert to crime and trying to prevent it is EVERYONE’S responsibility! Nor does the Block Club Captain have to patrol the area, or be responsible for everyone’s house keys, or watch their homes during vacation.
The primary function of the Block Club Captain is to act as a communication link between the Block Club members.
The responsibilities of the Block Club Captain include:
- Receiving newsletters and distributing them to the Block Club members.
- Receiving and distributing to Block Club members any special materials such as crime alerts, should they ever be needed.
- Contacting new neighbors who move onto the block to see if they are interested in joining the Block Club, and provide information for them from previous meetings.
- Make sure the Neighborhood Map and Phone Tree are updated with current names and phone numbers when necessary.
- Encouraging block residents to communicate with each other. It is not solely the responsibility of the Block Club Captain to “spread the word” about crimes that happen on the block, suspicious activities, or other block problems or needs. The Block Club Captain does need to encourage residents to call others on the block when something needs to be communicated. (To avoid being the only person who is relied upon for communication, the Block Club Captain may wish to set up a “phone tree” to speed up the block communication without putting a heavy burden on any individual.)
- It is suggested that Block Club groups meet formally at least once a year to renew acquaintances, review Block Club problems and possible solutions and if needed, to select a new Block Club Captain.
Serving as a Block Club Captain isn’t time consuming, and you do not have to be home all the time in order to volunteer. Although the Captain is responsible for making sure the above activities are performed for the block, the Captain does not personally have to perform them all.
Others on the block can be asked to assist with any or all of them.
The Block Club Captain’s role is essential to creating and maintaining an effective Block Club.
And since an independent study found an active Block Club could help reduce the likelihood of burglary by up to 60%, the Block Club Captain performs a vital service to the neighborhood and community.