Crime Prevention as each citizen's duty is not a new idea. In the early days of law enforcement, well over a thousand years ago, the peace keeping system encouraged the concept of mutual responsibility. Each individual was responsible not only for his actions but for those of his neighbors. A citizen observing a crime had the duty to rouse his neighbors and pursue the criminal. Peace was kept, for the most part, not by officials, but by the whole community.

With the rise of specialization, citizens began to delegate their personal law enforcement responsibilities by paying others to assume peace keeping duties. Law enforcement evolved into a multifaceted specialty as citizens relinquished more of their crime prevention activities. But the benefits of specialization are not unlimited. Criminal justice professionals readily and repeatedly admit that, in absence of citizen assistance, neither more manpower nor improved technology nor additional money will enable law enforcement to shoulder the monumental burden of combating crime in America.

About Block Watch
Block Watch is a simple program of neighborhood protection against the common enemy - crime. All that Block Watch needs to be effective is an alert and aware neighborhood willing to summon the police when a crime or suspicious activity is observed. Though it may be helpful, it is not necessary for you to even know your neighbor. All that is necessary is that you're able to direct the police to an area or an address where a crime is being committed. If you are able and willing to do this, your neighbor's property is then protected. The criminal element will soon learn that your neighborhood is not an easy target. The citizen should not physically confront the criminal.

CALL THE POLICE INSTEAD!

 
How it Works
When you sign up to participate in Block Watch, you will be assigned a Block Watch number. This is assigned by the Chief of Police, Monte Huss, who then retains your name address and telephone number in a private file in his office. When you see a crime occurring or simply suspicious activity, persons or vehicles that you think should be reported, call the Fremont Police Department at 419 332 6464 or call 911, report what you see and when asked who you are, simply give your Block Watch number. You will not be asked for any other personal information, although you may be asked more questions so as to give more information to the responding officers.

Join Block Watch
Block watch is a community action program sponsored by the Fremont Police Department in conjunction with concerned citizens in your neighborhoods. If you are interested in becoming involved with the Block Watch program call the Fremont Police Department and ask for Chief Huss, who can assign you a Block Watch number, or go to the Contact Us page, fill out the form and indicate "Block Watch" as your area of interest. You will be assigned a number by return E-mail.

Attend a Meeting
Block Watch meetings are held on the last Tuesday of each month, frequently at the Fremont Recreation Center. The meetings are open to the public. Fremont City 3rd Ward Councilman Jim Weaver has taken on the task of organizing Block Watch meetings and activities. As well as receiving information about the Block Watch program those that attend usually have a fun time, too! The City of Fremont was one of the first communities in Ohio to organize a Block Watch Program, so help us keep it going!