How do block watch teams work in Toledo?

Police respond and respond to crimes and problems, but over two dozen neighborhood watch groups are working to solve them.

TOLEDO, Ohio – All over Toledo there are block surveillance or neighborhood groups working behind the scenes to keep people safe and make their lives better.

The Birmingham Area Neighbors Helping Neighbors group held their monthly meeting at VFW Post 4906 on Consaul Street. Gunshots, drugs, putrefaction and poverty issues came up during the discussion.

While @ToledoPolice react and respond to problems and crimes, neighborhood watch groups like the one in the Birmingham neighborhood are working to solve them @ WTOL11Toledo pic.twitter.com/Ri8gj9MeLL

– Michael Tatar (@MichaelTatarTV) July 29, 2021

The leaders of these neighborhood groups say they are constantly trying to spread their existence. There are over two dozen of these neighborhood surveillance groups scattered across the city. And while the police react and react to problems, these groups work to solve them.

Mike Roby joined a block surveillance group in western Toledo seven years ago. He says the urban program was launched in the 1980s with a blanket approach that doesn’t work in every neighborhood.

“What works in Franklin Park won’t work in south Toledo, what works in south Toledo won’t work in north Toledo,” he said.

So four years ago he founded his own group to better address his area, the Franklin Park Neighbors in Community Engagement or the NICE group. And the problems they see are unique to this part of the city, which Roby says is all west of Secor.

“You have the rot. I have vacant houses,” he added. “I have thefts. Car break-ins. We currently have a number of thefts of catalytic converters.”

Birmingham Group Chair Sharon Gerschutz says they talk about everything from violence and drugs to trash and rot. But they need everyone’s help to make things better.

“Emphasize your neighbors, bring them to the meetings, let them know that their concerns are our concerns,” said Gerschutz.

And both groups say anyone can do something like post on social media, make phone calls, and talk to their neighbors.

“We need people who are committed,” said Roby. “And reach out to the community resource officers for reinforcement.”

There are eight CSOs, or Community Service Officers, who cover the entire city of Toledo.

You can call them at 419-245-1119 to see if there is a neighborhood watch group where you live and how you can help.

Telephone numbers for each individual CSO is also available on the Toledo Police Department website as well as other community police programs.

Find out more about the 33 neighborhood observation groups in Toledo on the city’s website.

Monica Smith is the city’s neighborhood navigator and can be reached at 419-245-3179.

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