BLOCK CAPTAINS Block Captains are Leaders To have an effective Crime Watch program in our neighborhoods, we have to have strong leadership. The following are traits that make a good Block Captain:  Is reliable Gets along well with people Has good communications skills Does not view the position as a power trip or a chance for personal gain Is willing to delegate tasks and listens to other's opinions Is organized and helps conduct meetings efficiently Does not get discouraged easily Does not stop at prevention - has a long-range plan for community improvement Responsibilities of Block Captains 1. Assist the Director of Crime Watch and other staff with events on your block 2. Inform residents on your block about upcoming Crime Watch meetings and crime prevention programs by delivering flyers and word of mouth. 3. Coordinate meetings between members on your block and the Crime Watch office 4. Organize other activities throughout the year, e.g., block parties around holidays to insure all members know each other and remain active in the Crime Watch program 5. Relay to members on your block all crimes and suspect information as received from the Crime Watch office. 6. Report feedback from members on your block to the Director of Crime Watch 7. Furnish members on your block with an up-to-date list of names, addresses, and telephone numbers of other members. 8. Insure that the members on your block have an up-to-date list of important telephone numbers, the Crime Reporting brochure, and any other pertinent material. 9. Invite, in person, all non-members on your block to the next Crime Watch meeting. Hand out the Crime Watch brochures. 10.Greet all new neighbors who move in and educate them about the Crime Watch program by handing out the Crime Watch brochures Successful Crime Watch Programs Neighborhood Crime Watch programs that are successful and active often extend beyond the basics of home security, watching out for suspicious persons and activities, and reporting them to the police. They sponsor community cleanups, find solutions to local traffic problems, collect items of clothing and other items for homeless and needy families, help victims of crime, tutor students at risk of dropping out of school, and form task forces that influence our city's elected officials.