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Sections & Units
Our Mission:
"To optimize public safety
in the City of Calgary"
Crime Prevention Unit
Community Crime Prevention Initiatives
Block Watch
Block Watch depends on your involvement for success!
Block Watch is a community crime prevention program that encourages community members to work together to reduce and prevent crime in their neighbourhoods.
Block Watch can be started in any community, including apartment complexes, townhomes, condominiums, seniors' complexes, gated communities or single-family homes.
In the Block Watch program, the community members organize their neighbourhood into "blocks." Blocks are groups of homes close enough together for each community member to become aware of who lives within their block area. Each member of Block Watch is part of a link in the chain that helps to prevent crime, through reporting suspicious activity to the Calgary Police Service.
Block Watch communities participate to keep their neighbourhoods safe and peaceful.
Being a Block Watch member means:
- you want to live in a safer community
- you will be taught how to report any suspicious activity to the police
- you will receive information on localized crime through the Block Watch fan-out telephoning process, and by registering for PACT (Police and Community Telephone System). Call 290-2990 to register for PACT
- you will receive tips on crime prevention
- you can participate in Operation Identification (which involves marking all valuables to easily identify stolen property)
- you will help make communication with your neighbourhood police better and more effective
- you will receive a "block" map;
- your community will have the Block Watch reputation, which helps prevent crime.
Starting Block Watch in your community
To start the Block Watch program in your community, contact the Calgary Block Watch Council at 509-2565.
The Calgary Block Watch Council will provide initial training, technical assistance and act as a resource in the future. All material, training and support are provided free of charge.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Is Block Watch an effective crime reduction program? |
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Yes. Communities with active participation in their Block Watch program see a significant decrease in crime. This is because Block Watch communities benefit from an increase in neighbour interaction and community awareness.
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Do Block Watch members patrol the streets or make arrests? |
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No. Block Watch members are asked to report any suspicious activity to the police, not to patrol the streets, chase criminals or make arrests. Call 9-1-1 if you see a crime in progress. Give an exact location, address, an accurate description of the suspect and/or vehicle (including licence plate) plus the direction of travel.
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Isn't crime prevention the job of the Calgary Police Service? |
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It is impossible for the police to be everywhere at all times. The police require the assistance of every citizen to be their eyes and ears in the community watching for suspicious activities.
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I know how to report crime so why do I need Block Watch? |
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Block Watch is more than just reporting suspicious activity; it is about peace of mind knowing that your neighbourhood is actively involved in crime prevention.
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What is the time commitment for Block Watch members? |
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The time commitment to Block Watch is determined by each individual. After a 90-minute orientation seminar, Block Watch members are simply asked to be more aware of suspicious activities in their neighbourhood and to report any such activity to the police. District Coordinators and Block Captains accept additional responsibilities such as organization, promotion and fundraising.
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What does it cost to start a Block Watch Program? |
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Block Watch is a free service. Orientation seminars, training manuals and other materials are provided at no cost to each community association.
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For emergencies or any crime in progress, phone: 9-1-1
For non-emergency police help, phone: 266-1234
The Calgary Police Service also offers other educational and crime prevention programs. For more information call your police district office or the Crime Prevention Unit at (403) 509-1756.
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