As budget issues might force the city to cut some of the officials who help make the programs work, the Seattle Police Department is hosting a series of meetings this month to help inform and encourage block watch groups throughout the city. Capitol Hill’s block watch culture doesn’t seem to be as strong as other neighborhoods in the city — if you’re part of a Hill block watch, let us know [email protected] — and we seem to be doing fine. But if you’re interested in learning more about what resources are available, the meeting for our neck of the woods is on July 28th in Mount Baker. Here’s more info from the SPD Blotter Blog about the meetings:

Neighborhood Safety Forums

Dear Community Friends –We want to thank those of you who attended the Neighborhood Safety Forum at Cleveland High School on July 6, 2010. All who attended felt the Forums are a great opportunity for Block Watch participants to network with each other and to get resources to take back to their blocks.

If you were unable to attend the Cleveland Forum, there are other upcoming opportunities to network with other Block Captains and have ready access to agency resources.

The next forums are as scheduled:

Tuesday, July 13th, 6-8pm Dunlap Elementary School, 4525 S. Cloverdale ST, 98118 (enter on S. Cloverdale ST; Parking is in the lot just north of the building).

For Rainier Beach, Upper Rainier Beach, Brighton and Dunlap area participants; Tuesday, July 20th, 6-8pm Garfield High School 400 23rd Ave, 98122, (enter on the north side of the building; Parking is in the lot just north of the building).

For Central Area participants; Wednesday, July 28th, 6-8pm Mount Baker Community Club 2811 Mount Rainier Dr S, 98144 (street parking only)·

Here is the agenda for the Forums:

6pm: Doors open for participants to Arrive.

6-6:30pm: Community networking; light snacks and refreshments available.

6:30-7:00pm: Welcoming/thanks and acknowledgement of Block Watch Captains

Introductory remarks and Q &A with Precinct Captains; Overview of SPD web tools available; Also, what do you want from the website?

7:00-7:10pm: Brief overview of various agencies in attendance; what’s available for Block Captains to take back to their neighborhoods.

7:10-8pm: Attendees invited to further explore the resource tables. Participants also may bring forward neighborhood concerns that need to be addressed by the particular agencies.

8pm: Forum End

For Mount Baker, Columbia/Hillman City, Lakewood/Seward Park area participants specific questions and neighborhood needs.

Numerous City and County agencies will have resource tables and staff available to respond to your.

There will be giveaways for you to take back to your blocks.

Light snacks and refreshments will be offered, provided by

The Seattle Police FoundationFor questions, please contact:

Mark Solomon, SPD Crime Prevention Coordinator

Phone: 206.386.9766, Email: [email protected]

Please advise us if you know of any attendees in need of translation, interpretation or Signing services.

Please Join Us!

Reminder: Night Out 2010 is Tuesday, August 3rd.

Just a reminder, if you have not already done so, please register for this year’s National Night Out Against Crime.