Blockwatch Boom in Yakima County

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By Ryan Simms

Story Published: Jul 30, 2010 at 5:35 PM PDT

YAKIMA COUNTY -- Across Yakima County, blockwatch volunteers are putting a serious dent in crime.

For Pat Ray, it's "all eyes"..."all ears"... all the time.

As a block watch volunteer in East Valley, Ray spends several hours a week making sure his neighbors streets are safe. There are currently 2,000 blockwatch volunteers in Yakima County. That's double the number of people Ray could rely on just 12 months ago. In an age of drive-bys and gangs, folks like Ray have had enough.

"The more often we're out, the more often we stop and talk to people, the more questions we're asked," he says.

Ray and his fellow volunteers are now providing police with an average of 30 tips a week. The end result: dozens of arrests for drugs, vandalism, and even gang activity.

Besides visiting local neighborhoods, blockwatch volunteers like Ray often visit orchards where thieves have been known to steal farm equipment.

It eases an enormous workload for local cops.

"Having an additional two or three citizen cars is a huge increase in the number of eyes and ears that we got out there," says Lt. Brian Winter, of Yakima County Sheriff's Office.

Those eyes and ears are increasing in number from Selah to Grandview. The challenge is huge, but folks like Ray are convinced this is a more winnable war.

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