Broadmoor Residents' Association

As everyone knows, Broadmoor and all of Baton Rouge sustained heavy hits from Hurricane Gustav and it took many homeowners many months to recover from damage caused by uprooted trees and high wind. We were very fortunate that personal injuries to residents were minimal.

It became very apparent after the storm passed that the need for more effective communications in our neighborhoods is a priority that needs to be addressed. This became obvious for several reasons, one of which is the ability to ascertain which residents are elderly, live alone or may otherwise have special needs. Another important reason to establish better communications is to prevent crime. Unfortunately, a disaster such as Hurricane Gustav brings with it persons who take advantage of the situation to commit burglaries and engage in other criminal activities. The evening curfews helped a lot to prevent this sort of thing, but our individual neighborhoods need more in the way of active and ongoing citizen involvement in the prevention of crime.

Phase I - Explaining the Program

For these and other reasons, the board of directors decided to sponsor the establishment of Neighborhood Watch Programs for the local neighborhoods in Broadmoor. This was one of our goals for 2008 and we are pleased to announce that our first two organizational meetings in November and December were attended by more than 175 residents. These events were designed to promote and facilitate citizen involvement in this important program. Four members volunteered to become our first Neighborhood Watch Quadrant Coordinators!

Phase II - Planning & Organizing

In Phase II, NW Block Captains were recruited and briefed on the NW Program. The Broadmoor map was divided into 4 quadrants as shown to the right with a NW Coordinator responsible for each area. Over 45 residents volunteered to be NW Block Captains, but we still need more volunteers in all of the quadrants. Please call our Hotline at 926-9829 or contact the NW Committee here to discuss volunteering. Quadrants and Coordinators are as follows. Click for maps (PDF files):

Quad 1 (Avery Sloan) - Goodwood (north side) @ Airline to Cora (west side) to Florida to Airline

Quad 2 (Wayne Davis) - Goodwood (north side) @ Cora (east side) to Sharp to Florida to Cora

Quad 3 (M. J. Chustz) - Goodwood (south side) @ Airline to S. Marilyn (west side)to Old Hammond to Airline

Quad 4 (John Kaiser) - Goodwood (south side) @ S. Marilyn (east side) to Sharp to Old Hammond to end of S. Marilyn

Phase III - Implementing

NW Block Captains were recruited and briefed and then they visiting residents on their blocks to explain the program to those who may have been unfamiliar with it. Residents were encouraged to participate in NW and were given the opportunity to display a 3" x 4" NW decal on their windows or doors. Association members were given an additional option of displaying a 7" x 10" yard sign similar to those provided by security companies. These were made available at the end of March for distribution to participants. A sample reflective decal is shown at the right. If you are a dues paying member for 2009 or 2010 and do not have your decal or yard sign, please contact your Block Captain or Quad Coordinator.

Block Captains have been briefed as to what activities residents should report to the police, and how to report activities so that information can be shared with other neighbors and Coordinators. These procedures are still new and will be fine tuned as the program evolves. Neighborhood meetings will be held to discuss safety and preventative measures that can be taken by all residents and literature will be made available about crime prevention and steps that residents can take to make their neighborhoods safer. Click here to view a summary of what residents can do to prevent crime.

Please support NW and spread the word to your friends and neighbors. Consider becoming a Block Captain, too! Call 926-9829.

The Importance of Neighborhood Watch

An Ounce of Prevention - Neighborhood watch, Block watch, town watch--whatever the title, this initiative is one of the most effective ways to prevent crime, attend to home and personal security, address the safety of our children and the elderly and reduce fear and isolation. Civic involvement, collaborative problem-solving and mutual commitment have helped cities and neighborhoods reduce crime by significant numbers.

In early 1972, the National Sheriffs' Association created a model program for today's neighborhood watch. At that time, the Chiefs were searching for ways to attack the increasing burglary rate across the country. It was recognized that communities able to secure the assistance of their residents in observing, recognizing and reporting suspicious or criminal activities were better able to keep the burglary rate down and reduce other crimes. Today, neighborhood watch is the largest single organized crime prevention project in the nation.

We know that neighborhood watch forges strong bonds among residents. Watch groups create a sense of community and pride by forming a unified group of citizens dedicated to improving their neighborhood. Partnering with law enforcement, citizens become their eyes and ears. These groups also serve as an empowering outlet for victims of crime. It helps give victims a greater sense of control--ensuring that what happened to them will be less likely to happen to others. A neighborhood watch program can also be a springboard for many other efforts to address the causes of crime, reduce crime and improve neighborhood conditions including youth recreation, child care, economic development, senior citizen activities, affordable housing and community beautification.

Benefits of Neighborhood Watch

Deters criminal activity

Creates a greater sense of security and reduces fear of crime

Builds bonds with neighbors; people look out for one another; it stimulates neighborhood awareness

Reduces the risk of becoming a crime victim; it reduces the physical, financial and psychological costs of crime

Instructs residents on how to observe and report suspicious activities in your community

Addresses quality of life issues and mutual interests in your community

Documentation

Links of Interest

Baton Rouge Police Department Homepage

Baton Rouge Police Department - Crime Statistics by Region

Baton Rouge Police Department - Safety Tips - This web site includes information in the following categories, plus lots of links: Personal Safety; On Foot; In Your Car; When Using Public Transportation; ATM Machine; Keeping Kids Safe; Make Sure Your Kids Know!; Safeguard Your Children; Home Alone! What Kids Should Know...; Safe at Home; For Apartment Dwellers; When You Go Away; Reducing Violence; Helping Victims of Crimes; Avoiding Fraud & Scams; Quick Tips; and Dialing for Your Dollars.

East Baton Rouge Parish Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness

East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office

East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff's Office - Crime Statistics

Crimestoppers