Night out with the neighbors

One table at the large Wallingford Ave block watch party

By Diane Hettrick

The Night Out Against Crime block parties were all organized on the same idea - if neighbors know each other and know what is normal on the street, they will know when something doesn't seem right and call the police to check it out.

But the block watch parties were all different. Some seemed like a gathering of friends - neighbors who already knew each other and were enjoying the party. Others had 'getting to know you' conversations. I overheard phrases like "Now, which house is yours?" "Are those your children?" "Where do you pick up your mail?"

Some had fabulous food, others kept it simple with hot dogs and hamburgers.

Lisa Haynes of Blue Star with the Shoreline Bicycle patrol

Then there was the out and out party at Blue Star Construction, located on N 200th at the head of Echo Lake. They win the prize for the most number of extroverts, most apparently employees - but everyone was welcome. City staff, city council, Jazz Walk organizers, Shoreline Police, everybody showed up at Blue Star - except the fire department. "Where are they?" said Lisa, We had a fire truck here last year!"

Blue Star has only a driveway onto N 200th, but a view of most of Echo Lake Park and a sweeping view of Echo Lake.

Amara, the youngest block watcher, with mom Kelly Fackler
at the Burke Avenue Block Watch

When organizing block watches, police say, you don't have to follow the formal street block. Consider the line of sight from each house. If you have a section where five or six backyards meet, have a block watch with those homes, even if they are on four different streets. Belong to more than one block watch - one for your front yard, one for your back yard. Have a block watch for your apartment building, or one floor of condos. The point is to watch out for each other and prevent or stop crime before it happens.