Redmond Ridge Residential Owners Association

Community Block Watch Program

Anyone can be a victim of a burglary, vandalism or other crimes. Despite our best effort, we sometimes feel alone and vulnerable to crime. THere is a viable protection tool available. Something residents in the community can do by banding together with their local law enforcement agencies to prevent crime before it happens. It's not a crystal ball. It is a Community Block Watch Program. It can be called Block Watch, Crime Watch, or Neighborhood Watch. Whatever the title, it's one of the most effective and least costly methods of crime prevention and reduces the fear of crime.

The Block Watch unites law enforcement, local organizations, and individuals in the community wide effort to reduce residential crime. Currently, the Kind County Sheriff's Office is unable to dedicate a deputy to coordinate this program. In the effort to continue to work this valuable program, the King County Sheriff's Office has produced this Block Watch informational packet (found at the ROA office) so that citizens can continue to work within their neighborhood and from their own Block Watches, to help reduce crime and the fear of crime.

To have a Block Watch, you do not have to be a victim of a residential burglary, assualt, or robbery. Crimes like Vandalism, damages to property, excessive noise, and traffic violations can be reduced through the Block Watch Program. In addition, developing disaster plans, neighborhood functions, and general safety programs are also part of the Block Watch Program.

Thousands of the Block Watch programs have been established all over the country. Any resident can take part: young, old, single, renter, homeowner. Block Watch is a very successful anti-crime effort. It breaks down the isolation of neighbors as they work together with each other to build a plan on how to deal with issues in their own neighborhoods. When something happens, neighbors will be informed, and when the deputy responds, a contact will be created with the Sheriff's Office.

Block Watch members are not vigilantes. They are the extra eyes and ears for reporting crimes and helping their neighbors. Members learn how to make their homes more secure, watch out for each other's homes and neighborhood. They report activities that raise their suspicions to the Sheriff's Office.

Block Watch Packet

Here are some links that will help strengthen your neighborhood watch:

http://www.i-neighbors.org/
http://www.fatnetwork.net/

Reporting Suspicious Activity and Evidence

1. Know what agency serves our neighborhood.

We are in Precinct 2 of the King County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO). We are not served by the Redmond Police Department. If you use your cell phone to call 9-1-1 and say you are from Redmond you can be connected to the Redmond Police instead of the KCSO. Stating that you live in unincorporated Redmond will help the 9-1-1 operator direct your cell phone call to the right agency. If you would like to report a crime that occurred in the past, call (206) 296-3311. If you have general questions about the Sheriff's Office, please visit 18118 73rd Ave NE, Kenmore, WA 98028 or call 206-296-5020.

2. Gather detailed information & don’t spoil evidence. This is Very Important!

Get as many details as possible for suspicious cars and people—description of car and driver, license plate number, location, etc.
Take a photo of any evidence you find if possible.
Don’t spoil evidence by moving it or touching it.
Don’t put yourself in danger by confronting suspicious people.

3. Decide which Sheriff’s contact number or email address you need to use.

Call 9-1-1 for any crime that appears to be in progress including prowler sightings and suspicious vehicles—be sure to have detailed information if possible.
Call 206-296-3311 (KCSO’s dispatch) for a crime that occurred in the past or for evidence you feel an officer should come and pick up.
Email Detective Soule, , any photos of evidence with a brief description of what it is and where it was found. Make sure to include your name, phone number, and that you live in Canterbury Woods in the email.
Call Precinct 2 directly at 206-296-5020 if you are having trouble making a report—residents have been put on hold for extended periods of time when calling both 9-1-1 and the KCSO dispatch number. I have found phone numbers at times to be busy for hours.

4. Get your point across to the 9-1-1 operator.

If you feel the 9-1-1 operator is not handling your call as you see fit, then make sure to tell the operator that you are in an area that has been experiencing a lot of burglaries and an arson at the elementary school. Tell the operator that Detective Soule (pronounced “soul”) has asked our community to call 9-1-1 when we see suspicious activity in our neighborhood and that he said patrol cars would be sent in. If you feel the operator is still not taking your report seriously enough, ask to speak with a supervisor.

Helpful Information: Emergency Contact Information

Winter is coming soon! To help you be prepared, we’ve listed some contact information that may be useful to you, if a storm materializes.

To check road conditions prior to leaving on a trip, please go to:

http://your.kingcounty.gov/kcdot/roads/roadalert/

For any Road Maintenance and Traffic Safety matters, please call:

24x7 Road Helpline at 206-296-8100.
1-(800) 527-6237 (toll-free)
TTY Relay: 711

For non-emergency King County Dispatch, call 206-296-3311

If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.

For any Association maintenance emergencies the ROA staff needs to be aware of, please call The CWD Group at 206-706-8000. The on-call manager will assist you, or alert the director if necessary.

Don’t Leave Your Car Running
Leaving your car running and unoccupied may seem convenient, especially to warm the car in winter, but it.s an invitation to a thief.

Install Anti-Theft Devices
Installing an anti-theft device such as a locking device for your steering wheel or ignition cut device tells a potential thief that you are protecting your vehicle. A car alarm is a deterrent and will detect any attempt at an intrusion and help protect the car’s contents.

Remove Valuables
Remove all items of value or place them in the trunk of your vehicle. Cell phones, briefcases, loose change, and tape or CD players are obvious targets for criminals.

Be Smart When You Park
Park in a safe, well-lit area where it would be difficult for someone to tamper with your vehicle. At home, use your garage or park as close to your residence as possible, preferably off the street.

Protect Your Registration
Keep your vehicle registration in a secure location in the car. Keep your title at home or in a safe deposit box.

Protect Yourself in Your Car
Never pick up a hitchhiker, it’s just not safe. Remember to keep your doors locked at all times. If someone approaches your car, do not open the door or window; if possible, drive away.

Practice good Block Watch techniques by quickly calling the police when you observe any suspicious activities in your community. The police want to know when you see a stranger or an unusual vehicle. Your call may prevent a crime from happening in your community.

Auto Theft and Larceny
Police refer to auto theft as motor vehicle theft. If a person takes your car without your permission, it is considered motor vehicle theft. That person may be punished by up to five years in prison. If someone enters your vehicle and steals the contents (e.g., a tape deck or wallet), police refer to the case as a Larceny TFA (taken from auto).

Who Steals Cars?
Car thieves are often amateurs, under the age of 20, who will take a car for the thrill of joy riding. Professionals who steal cars may sell them with a phony registration or dismantle them in a ‘chop shop’ and sell the parts.

The Sheriff’s Department would like to remind residents in Redmond Ridge to park their vehicles INSIDE their LOCKED garages. The best way to prevent theft is to lock up your valuables. When vehicles and other valuables are left outside or on the street, it tempts thieves to enter our community. Another way to deter criminals is to leave your exterior lights on at night. When people leave their exterior lights on, it is harder for the criminals to hide and often prevents the criminals from entering your property. It’s a great idea to leave as many exterior lights on at night as possible. Please share this information with your neighbors and ask if they would mind leaving their exterior lights on at night as well.