Block Captain Duties
The key person in any Neighborhood Watch group is the Block Captain.
This person is an integral component to keeping the block actively
involved in crime prevention efforts as well as the important process
of information exchange between neighbors. Many Neighborhood Watch
groups flourish, but some dwindle while others disappear totally.
How successful they are depends on the Block Captain and the support
he or she receives from neighbors.
The following is a list of recommended activities for you as a
Block Captain. It is not meant to be all-inclusive, because many
Block Captains are creative in their approach. (Note: The Albuquerque
Block Captains Association [ABCA] is an excellent source of ideas.
Any Block Captain is eligible to join.)
- Periodically monitor the membership of your group. Contact new
residents to get them involved and to obtain their support and
participation. Update your membership list as needed. Contact
the APD Crime Prevention office if you have changes to the roster.
If you stop serving as a Block Captain and/or if some one takes
over, contact our office.
- Develop a neighborhood communication system to distribute vital
information to neighbors pertaining to criminal activity and other
concerns that develop in the area. This can be a periodic newsletter,
telephone tree, and/or a one-page notice that can be quickly distributed.
- You are encouraged to arrange for your group to meet socially
at least twice per year to exchange information and renew relationships
as well as to get acquainted with new neighbors. People who communicate
regularly will care more about each other and be more willing
to keep an eye out for suspicious behavior. The annual National
Night Out (NNO) celebration is one example that will bring your
neighbors together.
- A follow up Neighborhood Watch program should be conducted
every few years or sooner if specific problems are occurring in
your neighborhood. This should also be the case if you have several
new neighbors. Call the Crime Prevention office to arrange for
a presentation.
- Encourage neighbors to advise you concerning criminal activity.
It is the victim's responsibility to contact the police. However,
you can keep a record of break-ins, vandalism, graffiti, and/or
any activity that becomes a concern for you and your neighbors.
Provide this type of information to neighbors at your next block
meeting.
- Your position as a Block Captain does not give you any law enforcement
authority. You are simply the person who facilitates the unity
of the group, distributes information, and coordinates activities.
The job you are doing is important and appreciated by the Albuquerque
Police Department, but it carries no authority.
- Remember: Our recommendation to all citizens who see a crime
in progress or notice suspicious activity is to observe and report
from a place of safety. We strongly suggest that you not confront
an offender unless you are in immediate danger. This applies to
you and your neighbors. We do not want anyone to get hurt or injured
trying to apprehend an offender or interfering with an incident
other than to report the activity to the police. If you or your
neighbors witness a crime in progress or observe suspicious behavior,
call 911 (emergency) or 242-COPS (non-emergency). Also, the number
for APD reports, records, or information pertaining to an incident
is 768-2020.
APD Crime Prevention 924-3600