In order to support the efforts of the St. Paul Police Department, the Summit Hill Neighborhood has organized an active Block & Building Club Network.  These Clubs advocate crime prevention which to help keep our neighborhood safe.  By encouraging people to get to know each other better and to watch out for each other, this program has not only proved an important deterrent to crime but has served to increase community livability as well. 

Most areas within the SHA/District 16 boundaries, have a volunteer Block or Building Club Leader.  The Block Club Program has been in force for many years.  Increasingly, Building Clubs, comprised of apartment and condo dwellers, are reaping the benefits of community that the network provides.

Volunteer Club Leaders receive monthly and other periodic updates from the Summit Hill Crime Prevention Coordinator noting area criminal activity based on official St. Paul Police records.  Leaders share this information within the Clubs. Area residents are encouraged to call their Block or Building Club leader (and the SHA office), after the police have been notified, so that others can be kept informed. Block & Building Clubs are the essential building blocks of a safe and vibrant community.

You can also watch for crime prevention tips and statistics in The Summit, the neighborhood bi-monthly newsletter.  In addition, you can sign up to be on the Summit Hill Association Electronic News List for breaking news of any kind.  You are encouraged to call the SHA office (651-222-1222) to find out who your Block/Building Club leader is or to get further information.  If you don't know your Block or Building Club Leader or don't have one, contact the SHA office and consider becoming one!   

Each Block Leader is encouraged to hold an annual meeting or get together, so that people on the block can meet each other.  Representatives from the police department may come to present information on various crime prevention programs and area crime updates.  Crime Prevention programs include Operation ID, residence premise surveys, and how to arrange patrol drive-bys when you go on vacation.  Other issues can also be addressed at these gatherings, such as lighting, signs, noise disturbances, etc. 

If you have any questions about the Block/Building Club Program or about crime prevention in general, call the Summit Hill Association office at 222-1222.  To print view and print off a copy of the most recent version of the Summit Hill Association Block/Building Club Manual, click here.

Remember:  If you observe, or are the victim of any criminal activity, please:

• call 911 to report a crime or any suspicious activity.
• call 291-1111 for a non-emergency (i.e. a crime that has already taken place and where there is no danger to anyone)
• call the police department, West District at 292-3512 to file a report if the police did not come out to the scene of a crime
• call your Block Leader within 24 hours, so that s/he can help you inform the rest of the block and report to the Summit Hill Crime Prevention Coordinator

• An actual crime is in progress - i.e. you are witnessing a robbery, burglary (i.e. see someone carrying out items from a house late at night, esp. when you know that those occupants are out of town), assault, kidnapping, murder, drug dealing, graffiti or other vandalism, or hear gunshots.
• You strongly believe a crime is about to be committed: heard threats, seen threatening behavior toward others, observed or heard a child or vulnerable adult being abused

If you need to call the 911 emergency number, in order for the police to respond quickly, you will need to give accurate details such as:

• exact location of occurrence: street, house number, alley, yard, etc.
• description of person/s:  race (if apparent), skin tone, hair color and length, other distinguishing features(scars, tattoos), type of clothing worn, direction the person/s were heading
• vehicle description: make, type, year of car, color, license number, any distinguishing features(dents, decals, bumper stickers)

When the police receive vague reports and/or descriptions they are less apt to respond quickly, since the chances of apprehending the culprit(s) are often low with vague information.  Please be as specific as you can when reporting crimes or suspicious circumstances.

Important Phone Numbers

Police Emergency	911
Police Non-emergency	651-291-1111
Police Dept. West District   - 389 N. Hamline Ave.	651-292-5512
Police: Premise Survey	651-558-2350
City Information & Complaint Office	651-266-8989
Police Dept. Vacation House Watch	651-292-3634
Summit Hill Association   e-mail: summithill@visi.com	651-222-1222 fax: 651-222-1558