What's We Watch, We Call?
The 4th Precinct CARE Task Force is supporting a resident based initiative called We Watch We Call – for Safe Neighborhoods.
Lawn signs with We Watch – We Call are free for residents to put in their front lawns to send the message that neighbors are working together to keep their blocks crime and problem free.
It’s all about we, not me! Often, a problem property, or badly behaving people on a block, can change the social environment and cause other residents, homeowners or tenants, to be uncomfortable, anxious or fearful. Calls to 911 may be appropriate when things get out of hand or criminal conduct is observed, but sometimes residents are concerned that they will be singled out as the complainer – and because of a fear of retaliation the call is never made.
We Watch – We Call helps to resolve that concern. If several houses on a block share the public commitment to a safe neighborhood, one block at a time, no one will be singled out. With the We Watch – We Call sign in several yards it becomes a group decision that the block will be safe and crime free with the added benefit that the entire neighborhood becomes a safer place.
Now, just putting a sign in your yard is not enough – the second part of the message to We Watch is – We Call. Calls to 911 or 311 (about non criminal complaints) must be made by one or all of the neighbors on the block. It is not enough to post a sign and expect that things will change by that act alone, although a block of signs signaling the intent for a safe neighborhood may be a deterrent to bad behavior.
If you, and other residents on your block are interested in We Watch – We Call make arrangements to pick up signs by calling 612.521.2100.
Current Stories
Have you already picked up your sign? Share your story now!
Someone said...
We Watch We Call signs have arrived. 1000 new We Watch We Call signs were delivered to the Folwell office this morning, June 7th. For all of the folks on the waiting list you will be receiving a phone call in the next day or two - for anyone else who want to join this safe neighborhoods initiative just stop into the office at 1206 37th Avenue North between 9 and 5 on any Monday - Thursday and pick up your sign! 612.521.2100 with any questions.
3500 Block Homeowner said...
I love the idea of these signs; it is just a small message to the troublemakers that the homeowners and responsible renters will not tolerate the misdealings of unsavory characters. We all work hard for what we have, and without standing up to the troublesome entities surrounding us at times, we let them know we are afraid! I am not! Unless we constantly and vigilantly stand up for our blocks, we will be subject to disrespectful and annoying tenants who threaten our safety and homes!
Humboldt Ave said...
A whole block of We Watch We Call signs line up to send the message that all of the neighbors have pride in their block and are working together to keep their block and the neighborhood safe!
Someone said...
I've seen a number of these signs pop-up in the neighborhood, and I can't help but notice that, with few exceptions, they are in white homeowners yards. "We call" obviously conveys "we call 911" and that the police are on our side. The message, as simple as it is, draws a line in the sand and puts more then just 'criminals' firmly on the other side. It puts anyone with hesitation about police involvement in a threatened position. Regardless of how outstanding much of the 4th precinct police force is, you can't ignore 1) the historical abuse of power of police in Minneapolis and nationwide against the black community and 2) the recent cases of police abuse specifically in Minneapolis. These signs are nothing more then a threat of police power, a firm acknowledgment that there is a division in this community, not unity. Consider a rewording that conveys that we engage with our neighbors, we know the kids down the street and we can call their parents when they are being too loud, that we are a unified community and neighborhood.
Dawn said...
I love the idea and message these signs make. It's nice to see so many people willing to put them up and try to make a difference in our community. I picked up a sign from the new coffee shop at 42nd and Lyndale (Very nice coffee shop by the way). I put it on the Blvd in front of my house the same day. The very next night, my car, which was parked right next to the sign, was broken into. They ripped out the dash and removed the stereo. It had to happen in the middle of the night while we were sleeping. It felt like someone said, "ok, lets see if your watching". It's really sad that some people cause problems for everyone else and with this economy, I'm worried that things may get worse.
Thomas said...
I picked up a few signs for my block to see if the message would change the behavior of a few of my neighbors. They took the message to heart, and then they took the signs! Today I picked up some more signs for my house and my neighbors.
Someone said...
A young lady who had been robbed came to my house seeking help when she saw the porch light on and the WE WATCH WE CALL sign in the yard. Thank you 4th Precinct! A wonderful idea.
John Hoff (Johnny Northside) said...
I picked up a sign for a friend, but when I got there, they already had a sign! The Hawthorne Neighborhood Council just put one in the yard in front of their office, and I know of two others going up today besides my own in front of my house. It's taking off like wildfire! Oh, and I made some 311 calls today. I do it all the time, anyway, but today's calls felt especially good.
sorry said...
Gave my dentist a sign and it was placed in the yard of business and on next office visit was told that it was taken the next day! Guess the message is getting out there to those who DON'T like the message, as well as those who are uniting in getting out the message to have safe neighborhoods!
We Watch, We Call Photos
Pick up a sign today!
Pick up a we watch, we call sign at the following address:
1206 37th Ave N
Minneapolis, MN 55412
Call us at: 612-521-2100
info@4thprecinctcare.org