Block Clubs
Personal Safety Flyer from block club meeting
Block Clubs and Apartment Clubs
Crime prevention specialists (CPS) assist to organize block and apartment clubs. The CPSs provide training for volunteers who work with neighbors to deter crime and improve the quality of life on their block or in the building. Volunteers encourage neighbors to know one another, watch out for each other, and report suspicious activity. CPSs work with neighbors in building a stronger and safer community. Annually, they promote National Night Out, an annual event encouraging neighbors to gather, meet one another and socialize.
How do I get the form to Close off the street?
What is an apartment or block club?
Neighbors who live in an apartment building or across the street or alley from each other, usually on one block, who:
- Work together to be alert and watch out for each other.
- Call 911 when they see suspicious activity or crimes in progress.
- Work to solve problems and deal with issues.
What are the benefits of organizing a block or apartment club?
- Working as a team, neighbors can deter crime and improve the quality of life on their block or in their building.
- Crime prevention specialist provides regular information about crime in your neighborhood to block and apartment clubs.
- As part of the police block/apartment club network, you can hear about other successes and ideas which can help you.
How can we get a block or apartment club started?
- One or more neighbors must volunteer to be the block/apartment club leaders. We encourage you to have more than one person to share the responsibilities.
- These volunteers attend BLOCK LEADER TRAINING. At the training, volunteers learn:
- Crime prevention information
- Use of 911
- How to organize their neighbors and run effective meetings.
- How to keep the block/apartment club active
- Resources available from CPS
How often do block apartment clubs have to meet?
At least 2 meetings or social events per year to maintain contact, meet neighbors, and address any block issues are recommended. One of these events is usually a National Night Out block party (the first Tuesday of August). The level and type of activity beyond that is up to the block/apartment club.
What resources are available to block/apartment clubs?
- Mailings to the block leader(s) with crime prevention information, success stories, and upcoming events.
- Information flyers and brochures on many crime prevention topics
- Crime statistics for your neighborhood which can give a realistic picture of crime and help you decide on appropriate prevention strategies.
- Crime alerts issued by crime prevention specialists when there is an identified and verified crime pattern in a specific geographic area, in a limited period of time, and with a similar method of operation. The alerts allow citizens to take preventive measures and increase the chances of apprehension.
- Watch Force signs stating, "Neighborhood Watch Force -- It I don't call the police, my neighbor will" are available for purchase. Watch Force stickers are free to those households who participate in your block map.
Block and Apartment Club Leaders
Come to a training session and learn how to work effectively with the Minneapolis Police Department to make your block safer and friendlier.
Learn:
- the benefits of starting a block club with your neighbors
- how to recruit neighbors to help you
- the role of a block leader
- to identify and resolve livability issues on your block
- meet the crime prevention specialist who work in your area
Apartment or block clubs receive:
- periodic mailings to the block leader(s) with crime prevention information, success stories, and upcoming events
- crime statistics for your neighborhood mailed to the block leader(s) in the quarterly mailing
- assistance with neighborhood problems and issues
- incentives to newly organized block clubs
- each new block leader receives a block leader manual full of ideas and resource information for block clubs
For information on Crime Free Multi Unit Housing trainings click here