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Community Corner

Lynwood's Block Watch Hopes to Recruit with New Structure

The Neighborhood Block Watch is a volunteer-based program run by residents, the city of Lynwood and the Century Sheriff's Station.

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Nicolas Cordova’s reason for joining Lynwood’s Neighborhood Block Watch was a simple one, to unite residents and bring about a sense of safety to the community.

So after talking to neighbors, Cordova, a Lynwood resident of 12 years, was encouraged to become a block watch captain to try and bring the positive changes residents hoped for.

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“They told [my wife and I] they would support us," said Cordova "To find out what measures we could take to be more safe."

The city’s Block Watch program is run through a collaboration between residents, city employees and the Century Sheriff’s Station.

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Its goal is short and clear: to unite the citizens of Lynwood to work toward a common goal, the betterment of the city.

Watch captains act as representatives for their block when attending their monthly meetings. Gatherings where they address the needs and concerns of their neighbors.

At these meetings Sheriff’s deputies and a city employee are present. The latter take note of questions and concerns that were raised by those attending.

According to the block watch board president, Antonio Mungia, all you need to become a block watch is a few signatures of support, as well a commitment to attend 12 block watch captain meetings a year.

The watch captains must also be willing to host 3 meetings a year. 

However, the job also comes with a couple of privileges.

During special occasions, such as Fourth of July festivities, watch captains are permitted to close down their respective blocks for a large neighborhood party.

The city allows these events to take place in the hopes that neighbors get to know each other better.

Block watch captains can also request to have signs posted at each end of their block,  which notify residents that the area is being monitored.

Currently, there are 50 block watch captains in the city.

The number is not as high as program leaders would like, but Mungia hopes that a change in structure with new committees, that is set to be launched early next year will help expand membership.

For example, Mungia expects to launch a membership committee, which will be focused on recruitment.

In the mean time, anyone interested in becoming a block watch captain can contact the city for more information.

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