PPT Slide
Virtual Block Clubs: Organizing a Crime Watch via the Internet
The CCP/SAFE (Community Crime Prevention/Safety For Everybody) Unit of the Minneapolis Police Department provides crime prevention tools to residents, businesses and property owners, and helps organize these stakeholders in the community to reduce and prevent crime.
Previous to the explosion of Internet use, one tool was the dissemination of crime alerts via flyers or faxes, and another was to meet with affected businesses or residents. Getting out paper and fax alerts was slow and often not everyone in an area could make it to a meeting.
In order to meet the rising demand for swift communication of alerts with Downtown Minneapolis stakeholders (businesses, residents, owners, workers, etc.), Team 7A established an e-mail crime alert system for our District in the Downtown Command (DTC) in 1996.
With the advent of CODEFOR (Computer Optimized Deployment Focussing on Results) in 1998 SAFE Team 7A enhanced this system by establishing a Virtual Block Club meeting for any and all stakeholders in the Downtown Command. These meetings are taking place 24/7, in keeping with CODEFOR's tenet of "relentless follow-up and assessment." We are in continual contact with those in a position to target-harden their properties, encourage better prevention and security practices amongst employees, and advise residents of emerging crime patterns and trends.
Contact: Luther Krueger, CPS 612-673-2923 luther.krueger@ci.minneapolis.mn.us