'Mission: Tier 3 Security

"The safeguarding of Americans is an inherent role for those that wear the uniform of the United States Armed Forces. Tier 1 security operations places the country's military in distant lands to protect American interests worldwide. Tier 2 security operations marry the military to Homeland Defense to protect America's borders. Tier 3 security extends the role of former military members to protecting Americans at home. The mission of VETERANS Home Security, USA is to empower those military veterans to protect the homes and neighborhoods of America as residential security providers, business owners and operators, and contributing members of their communities."
Retired Army Colonel Bob Labadie

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. There is no crime in our neighborhood. Should we still try to start a Blockwatch?

A. Maybe. The fact that many neighborhoods are virtually crime-free does not make them immune. Criminal activity knows no geographical boundary, and provided that enough initial interest can be generated, the fact that your neighborhood is crime-free may be the best reason to establish a Blockwatch now.

It should be stressed that every successful BlockWatch, regardless of the crime rate, requires involved, interested, and committed participants.

Q. I don't like to go to a lot of meetings. Can I still be a Blockwatch participant?

A. Yes. Most new block watch programs require only two or three weekly or biweekly meetings to get started. After that period, an occasional maintenance meeting is recommended to keep participants active and interested.

Q. Who conducts the meetings?

A. Depending upon the community it may be conducted by your or by community liaison officers and community trainers. Depending upon the size of the Blockwatch, a few volunteers are needed in getting the program started, and moving in the right direction.

Q. Won't the Blockwatch program just result in a lot of frivolous and unnecessary calls to the police?

A. No. Remember that you are the best one to judge whether something is normal or not normal in your neighborhood. Even if your call turns out to be a false alarm, it is better to let trained police officers make that determination. Of course, as a Blockwatch participant, you will receive instruction on what constitutes a true emergency as opposed to something which simply needs routine police attention. Blockwatch participants receive information on the proper use of the 911 system for real emergency situations.

Q. How do we obtain Neighborhood Blockwatch signs?

A. As a general rule, a minimum 50% level of participation, by number of households in a Blockwatch area, is necessary for obtaining signs. This also depends upon your city. However, the crime prevention officer may recommend signs for neighborhoods which demonstrate a strong commitment to the program but fall short of the 50% participation level. Any block watch program which becomes inactive is subject to having the signs removed.

Q. How do we get started?

A. Contact your local police department about scheduling the Community Liason or a Police Officer for the inital block watch meeting. You will want to schedule them out about a month in order to prepare and get the word out about the event.

* Adapted from the Columbus, Ohio Police Department Page.