The Richmond/Knob Hill Community Association is interested in facilitating a community chapter of the Calgary Block Watch Association to help reduce crime and graffiti in our neighbourhood.   If this is a concern you share and you would like to get involved contact info@richmondknobhill.ca.  

What are the Goals of a Block Watch Program?

The Goals of the Block Watch Program are to:

- Reduce crime in a neighbourhood through the active participation of a majority of community residents.

- Increase the reporting to police of suspicious and criminal activities.

- Promote safe and strong communities

How Does a Block Watch Program Work?

Block Watch operates on the premise that the police cannot be everywhere all the time, as a result they are unable to effectively investigate, reduce, and prevent crime by themselves. Therefore, in order to keep the community safe, the police require the assistance of all citizens in identifying and reporting suspicious or criminal activities.

Block Watch is successful in preventing and reducing crime when people get involved and stay involved. Each community is responsible for establishing a Block Watch Association that is responsible for implementing, coordinating, and managing the effectiveness of the Block Watch Program.

Block Watch can succeed only if it is well organized and supported by a majority of community members.  The more people involved the more effective the Program will be.

Education, information, increased awareness, citizen involvement and action are the key components for ensuring a safe, crime-free community.

City of Calgary and Calgary Police Service Reporting Services:

- To report graffiti call 311

- Urgent calls and crimes in progress dial 9-1-1

- Non-urgent calls, report to 403-266-1234 or report online

- To file a quick and easy police report, visit Citizen Online Police Report System 

Police and Community Telephone System (P.A.C.T.)

PACT is a free automated telephone information service that works by calling residents and playing a recorded crime prevention message from the Police.  Involvement with Block Watch is not mandatory.  The system operates between 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. and will leave a message on most answering machines/voicemail and will call back later if there is no answer.  This system is operated by the Police and funded by Encana.  For more information call P.A.C.T. at 403-645-2990.

Private Graffiti Abatement Program

The City of Calgary will partner with residents and business owners in an effort to remove graffiti from private property.  Under the program, residents will call 3-1-1 to report graffiti on their property.  They will be asked to pay a $25 fee and sign a waiver granting a City contractor permission to remove the graffiti.  There is a $100 removal fee for businesses.  All revenue will be reinvested into the program.  For more information, visit calgary.ca/bylawservices or call Laura Shott at 403-268-1880.