Block watch is the program based on the principle that neighbors working together are the first and best line of defense against crime.

Block watch programs have been shown to be an effective deterrent of crime at the neighborhood level. For the past five years, it has been a concern for some residents at Waterbury Park Apartments to be able to have a block watch. Throughout the past 10 years, many managers have been in and out of the property, never consistent. Now we have a new manager again who I thought was going to support us in our efforts.

In July, there was an awareness meeting to discuss residents’ concerns regarding safety issues. City council members, police and the apartment dwellers attended.

After that meeting, I just knew management would be on board to assist. I went online and found information on how to start a block watch, downloaded the information, and then I went to the office to have printed copies made — two packets altogether. One was a block watch handbook and another one was a block watch manual. The block watch handbook was seven pages and the block watch manual was about 15 pages. I asked management if they would make copies and they told me they can only do five copies. I was shocked.

I have lived in Waterbury Park for over 13 years and I have never been denied copies. This was not for me, it was for my community. I am a community outreach worker and advocate. I begged management to meet me halfway on this. The manager made 15 copies of just the block watch handbook with only seven pages.

I still was devastated because there are 236 units. The mission and the goal is to reach every apartment in this complex, not just five.

The block watch handbook is for each household that represents the upcoming block watch meeting, which was scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 14. Residents’ concerns are safety, housing issues and legal issues, and through my research on block watch, my goal is to have speakers every month to speak to residents about issues that concern them.

Residents of this complex have always been afforded use of the cabana for meeting parties and other functions. It is very unfair for Weidner property management to have functions in the cabana after hours, yet the residents can’t even have a block watch meeting in the cabana.

Betty Taylor, Federal Way