CRIME PREVENTION IN SUMMIT HILL
Diane Hilden, SHA Crime Prevention Coordinator
651-222-1222 or cpcsummithill@visi.com
In support of the community policing model of the St. Paul Police Department, the Summit Hill Association/District 16 has organized an active Crime Prevention Block & Building Club Network for Summit Hill. By encouraging neighbors within the Summit Hill community to get to know each other better and to watch out for each other, this network has proved to be a very important deterrent to crime and has served to increase community livability.
Most areas within the SHA/District 16 service area have an SHA Crime Prevention Block Club. Increasingly apartment and condo dwellers are reaping the benefits of community and safety that this network provides by establishing Building Clubs within their buildings.
Note: Suspicious activity and/or persons in the neighborhood: Don’t hesitate to call the police at 911! The safety of yourself, your family, neighbors and community may depend upon your observations. (See details on calling and what to report at end of page.)
What Do Block & Building Club Leaders Do?
Block & Building Club Leaders agree to be responsible for organizing their neighbors into a Club in whatever way works best (i.e. a Block Clubs may include neighbors across the street, alley or both.) Leaders receive monthly SHA Crime Incident Updates – and, as warranted, special crime alerts from the Summit Hill Crime Prevention Coordinator.
Additionally, Leaders receive regular safety tips and other valuable community information. Club Leaders typically share this information within the Clubs using their local club email list or door to door. Clubs often gather in one of many ways including: to celebrate National Night Out, have picnics and get-to-gathers throughout the year, organize book clubs and movie nights, cooperate on garage sales, organize babysitting co-ops, whatever works for members.
NOTHING BEATS GETTING TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS
FOR CRIME PREVENTION… NOTHING!
Each Block Leader is encouraged to hold an annual meeting or some type of get-together, so that people on the block can meet each other. A police officer could be invited to present information on various crime prevention programs and area crime updates and to get to know community members personally. Crime Prevention programs include Operation ID, residence premise surveys, and how to arrange police reserve officer vacation-patrol drive-by’s. Other safety issues may also be addressed at these gatherings, such as crime prevention lighting, alarm systems, noise disturbances, panhandling, etc.
The Summit Hill Crime Prevention Coordinator provides on-going support, assistance and information to Club Leaders and the Summit Hill community; and acts as a liaison between them and the St Paul Police Department. Crime prevention tips and statistics can also be found in the “Crime Prevention Connection” column in The Summit, the neighborhood’s bi-monthly newsletter.
Sign up to receive the monthly Summit Hill Association Crime Incident Report and Community Crime Prevention Alerts by emailing cpcsummithill@visi.com and ask to be included. 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 crime prevention information. If you don’t have a Block or Building Club contact the SHA office and consider becoming one!
If Suspicious Activity or Crime Occurs!
Area residents are encouraged to contact their Block or Building Club leader and the SHA office, after the police have been notified, to report crimes and suspicious circumstances and/or individuals in order that others in the neighborhood can be kept informed in a timely way.
Remember: If you observe, or are the victim of any criminal activity
and/or see any suspicious circumstances or individuals please:
•call police at 911 or 291-1111 (either number works!) to report a crime or any suspicious activity.
•call the St. Paul Police Department, West District at 292-5512 to file a report if the police did not come out to the scene of a crime
•contact your Block or Building Club Leader so that they can inform others in your area and report to the Summit Hill Crime Prevention Coordinator
For Quicker Police Response When Calling the 911 Emergency Number
Provide Provide Accurate Details Such As:
•exact location of occurrence: street, cross streets, house number, garage, 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)
Note: When the police receive vague descriptions – they may not 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 & Non- Emergency 911
St Paul Police Dept. Western District
389 N. Hamline Ave. 651-266-5512 - St Paul Police Vehicle Impound Lot 651-266-5642
- SNOW Emergency Info 651-266-PLOW
- City of St Paul Information & Complaint Line 651-266-8989
- United Way’s First Call for Help 211
- Summit Hill Association 651-222-1222; e-mail: summithill@visi.com