Canton Community Association

Safety Resources

Safety Resources & Partners


Here in Canton we enjoy a beautiful waterfront community. We aim to make our neighborhood and the surrounding neighborhoods the safest in all of Baltimore. The Baltimore Police Department is making strides in this area, but simply they cannot be everywhere at all times. They do not know all of the neighbors on your block. They do not walk their dogs on our streets. Most of the police patrolling our neighborhoods live elsewhere. Our neighborhood is our responsibility.

We need to work with the police to eliminate the crime in Canton and to squeeze the criminal elements out of our surrounding neighborhoods. We should never act as vigilantes. We are simply extra eyes and ears for reporting crime and helping our neighbors. To accomplish this task, we need to make our neighborhood unfriendly to those who commit crimes. All others are welcome.

How do we make our neighborhood unfriendly to those who commit crimes?

  1. Be conscious of your surroundings as you walk, run, bike, and drive in our neighborhood.
  2. Secure your property whether it is your residence, your car, or your business.
  3. Meet the residents of your neighborhood and be a good neighbor.
  4. Don’t be afraid to call the police. Always document crime and suspicious activity that you see and report.
  5. Join the Neighborhood Block Watch Representative Program.
  6. Join the Neighborhoods United Citizens on Patrol Program (NUCOP).

Crime happens when we give it the opportunity to happen. Let’s do our best and limit that opportunity. Please follow the steps listed above and join the Crime & Safety Committee of the Canton Community Association to keep crime out of our neighborhood. Crime is not acceptable!

Neighborhood Block Watch Representative Program

The Block Watch Representative Program works to eliminate crime and improve safety in our neighborhoods utilizing community involvement. Block Watch Representatives partnership with police and other city departments, as well as with their neighbors. By tackling the problems of crime one block at a time, starting with your own block, it will be possible to create noticeable change.

Participation as a Block Watch Representative entails simply keeping your eyes and ears open to what is happening in your neighborhood. Reporting and recording any suspicious activities and crimes to the appropriate agency. Anyone 18 and older may participate. In addition, the Crime Committee highly recommends that each Block Watch Representative attend a Police Department training session for tips on what to look for and how to make a successful report.

Each Block Watch Representative registers with the Baltimore Police Department and receives a 6-digit code to use in reporting crime to 9-1-1 operators. The code assures your privacy since the responding Officer will have the code with no name and address associated with the call. The code also streamlines the reporting call by replacing the usual name and address with a short code.

Currently, we do not recommend participants to display any symbols of being a member of this program. Once neighborhood participation meets 25% of households, CCA will investigate posting Block Watch Program signs throughout Canton. Your participation in this program will help to get crime out of our neighborhoods for good.

You can sign up at any Canton Community Association Meeting.


Neighborhoods United Citizens on Patrol (NUCOP)

Neighborhood United Citizens on Patrol, or NUCOP, is an organization of neighborhoods including and surrounding Canton. It is sponsored by the Baltimore City Police Department and has been in continuous operation since April 1994. Citizens volunteer two hours per month patrolling our community watching for criminal activities and other situations needing the attention of a city agency to rectify the problem.

All patrols are unmarked and operate at various times of day and various times of the week, to ensure privacy. Patrols consist of a least two people armed with a cell phone. Volunteers assist the police by logging what they see and reporting the information. Cell phones are the basic mode of communication and are provided. All NUCOP volunteers must complete training with the Baltimore City Police Department and be at least 18 years old. New participants ride with seasoned patrols.

Signs are posted in various locations in Canton and our surrounding neighborhoods telling about NUCOP. Please feel free to explain the program to your neighbors and get involved.

You can sign up for this program at any Canton Community Association Meeting.

Calling the Police

The police would much rather respond to a call where they are not needed than not be called.
If you feel police assistance is needed, CALL.
When in doubt, CALL!

If you are afraid, please protect your privacy by becoming a member of the Neighborhood Watch Block Representative Program.

When reporting emergencies or suspicious activity remember that police need as many facts as possible to investigate properly. STAY CALM!

Information that is required when calling the police

Who
Describe the people and vehicles involved in the activity? Be as detailed as possible.

What
Describe the activity clearly. Do not use slang or “Cop Show” language. Do not magnify the situation.

Where
Give an exact address if possible. Front and rear, landmarks, and any other assistance in locating the problem.

 
When describing people, it is helpful if you can provide the following information:
  1. Gender (sex)
  2. Race (Asian, Black, Hispanic, White, etc.)
  3. Approximate age
  4. Approximate height and weight (heavy build, slim, etc.)
  5. Clothing (start at the head and work down to the feet)
  6. Identifying characteristics (hair color, facial hair, jewelry, scars, tattoos, limps, etc)
When describing vehicles, it is helpful if you can provide the following information:
  1. Make and model , i.e. Chevy Impala
  2. Color(s) and also special roof styles (vinyl, convertible, sunroof, etc.)
  3. Year
  4. Tag number and state of issue
  5. Unusual characteristics (dents, bumper stickers, etc.)
  6. Direction of travel

Other helpful information:

  1. Weapons (gun, knife, club, etc.)
  2. Injured person(s) is an ambulance needed?
  3. Any other information which may be important.

Keeping a log of calls and miscellaneous activity gives you a record of what you saw and/or reported to the police or other city agency. It is an invaluable tool when dealing with an ongoing problem as it keeps memory straight and builds credibility when the police, etc. can easy see the magnitude of the problem. Remember that the squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Criminals are persistent in looking for opportunities and locations to conduct business. Being a good neighbor means being even more persistent in limiting opportunities by continuing to call the 9-1-1 when dealing with criminal and suspicious activity. Unless you are personally willing to testify in court, you must be patient and wait until the police who are willing to testify view the action in question. Remember, it is not only the police, but also the state’s attorney armed with credible witnesses and evidence that result in a conviction.