A Safer Union Gap

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Story Published: Jun 17, 2009 at 10:19 PM PST

By Stacy Lilienthal

They call it the first step in making Union Gap even safer. Police met with dozens of residents to launch block watch programs throughout the town.

From a standoff in April, to an apartment fire in January, it's clear Union Gap isn't immune to crime. But neighborhoods may soon have another way to prevent it. "What we have now is a community reaching out," says Union Gap Police Chief, Robert Almeida. "We have citizens reaching out that want to have this program going and we want to cooperate and be there for the citizens." He's is talking about Block Watch.

People are telling him it's vital. Some, like Jack Galloway, have gone door to door to spread the word. "What we want is a quiet neighborhood. It's what everybody wants. And so that's our goal." he says.

The police agrue it's been years since the city's had an active block watch program. They hope the first meeting changes that. Monica Benscoter says a Block Watch would give her a chance to know her neighbors. "There's people on the other side we don't associate with. But we know they're there. You hear the dogs bark when somebody is coming around."

Action News asked the police chief, "how dangerous is it here?" He says per capita, it's not much different than the rest of the valley. We wanted a clear picture. So, Action News pulled the numbers. Homicides, Burglaries, Thefts, and Robberies are all down in Union Gap. Assaults are up.

With more Block Watch meetings to come, neighbors here are looking for all crime to drop in their city.

If you're interested in getting your block active in block watch, call the Union Gap police station. Their number is (509) 248-0430.

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