"East Firs Neighborhood Block Watch" National Night Out Against Crime PotluckHurricane IKE's blast into the Gulf states this month kindled my fears and memories of the severe wind storms our neighborhoods and city encountered last December 6. Some citizens had no electricity or heat for almost a week. Grocery refrigeration was shut down at some stores. Power lines draped the roads. Some seniors and families with small children sought shelters. Fallen trees took out roofs, cars and shut down roads. You couldn't even find a fix for your coffee habit. How soon we forget? A similar storm struck Redmond in 2006.
As far as my family is concerned we have two months to prepare for the next one. I've since bought a wind-up AM Radio. The city has a new Emergency Community Radio 1650 AM. We'll be tuned in for sure. I even bought a generator. Hope I know how to use it!
We've also added another layer of protection in our East Firs Neighborhood. We started our Neighborhood Block Watch Program this year. We will now have the comfort, support, and friendship of our neighbors in times of the next severe storm. We've shared our phone numbers, names and addresses and we met over a potluck in August during "National Night Out". We are ready!
I'm posting a few pictures from our National Night Out celebration. My next door neighbor and his nephew volunteer for King County's Search and Rescue. They came out in force! The "White Whale" - our city's Emergency Response Vehicle was visited by many of the of the neighborhood children and parents. A Certified Emergency Response Team volunteer gave tours. My favorite city vehicle was the sleek, unmarked police car used to chase down aggressive drivers. The officer was cool. Council President Nancy McCormick gave us a surprise visit. Most neighbors had no idea of the tremendous work she puts in for us to write local laws, set policy and fund our needs.
It's not too late to start a Block Watch network with your neighbors. Collect phone numbers. Map out your neighborhood. Share phone numbers and the map with your neighbors. If EVER in doubt, CALL 911.
We've also added another layer of protection in our East Firs Neighborhood. We started our Neighborhood Block Watch Program this year. We will now have the comfort, support, and friendship of our neighbors in times of the next severe storm. We've shared our phone numbers, names and addresses and we met over a potluck in August during "National Night Out". We are ready!
I'm posting a few pictures from our National Night Out celebration. My next door neighbor and his nephew volunteer for King County's Search and Rescue. They came out in force! The "White Whale" - our city's Emergency Response Vehicle was visited by many of the of the neighborhood children and parents. A Certified Emergency Response Team volunteer gave tours. My favorite city vehicle was the sleek, unmarked police car used to chase down aggressive drivers. The officer was cool. Council President Nancy McCormick gave us a surprise visit. Most neighbors had no idea of the tremendous work she puts in for us to write local laws, set policy and fund our needs. It's not too late to start a Block Watch network with your neighbors. Collect phone numbers. Map out your neighborhood. Share phone numbers and the map with your neighbors. If EVER in doubt, CALL 911.
The city is holding a 3 Block Watch Meetings
for neighborhoods interested in starting a Neighborhood Watch.
My "lunch buddy" standing next to the "White Whale". This sophisticated, retrofitted van is deployed for Presidential and other high profile visitors. Besides "police presence" it serves as a "Command and Control Center" during emergencies. Direct lines hook into Public Works (roads and lights), Police, Fire, the Mayor, FBI, King County, State Patrol, and more.... A C.E.R.T neighbor and police volunteer operated the Whale. Approximately 50 parents and children attended. The 35 dog and cats were left at home to protect their property! According to Jim Bove Community Relations, Redmond: The city will hold three (3) "Introduction to Neighborhood Block Watch" meetings this winter:
*Wednesdays, October 8th, 2008 – December 3rd, 2008
Time: 6:00pm – 9:00pm
Location: Emerald Heights Retirement Center10901 -176th Circle NE, Redmond, WA 98052
Cost: $35.00
Contact: Janeen Olson at jro5@u.washington.edu for questions or register with Debbie at the Redmond Fire Department at (425) 556-2200.
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