Block captains are dedicated volunteers who care about the safety, security, and overall well-being of the residents in their neighborhood.

Traditionally, block captains have led neighborhood watch efforts at the block level, focusing on crime prevention, public safety, and active crime reporting. They serve as liaisons between their block and public safety officials, including the LAPD and local security companies. Block captains organize grassroots efforts, encourage communication among neighbors, address community concerns with LUNA and city agencies, and facilitate the sharing of important information.

LUNA aims to further empower block captains to strengthen the community by fostering neighborly interactions and encouraging residents to become more active and engaged in the larger Larchmont community.

Organization and Communication

1. Gather and Maintain Contact Information: Keep an updated list of names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers of residents in the block.

2. Establish a Neighborhood Watch and Communication Networks: Create block-wide WhatsApp and text message groups, email lists, phone trees, and maps to enable quick and efficient communication among neighbors.

3. Serve as the Primary Point of Contact: Act as the main liaison between block residents, other block captains, and LUNA's Block Captain network coordinator. Share information and serve as the local contact for law enforcement.

Welcome new residents: Introduce new neighbors to the program and current block residents, encouraging their participation.

Community Engagement

Encourage participation: Promote a Neighborhood Watch program on your block and encourage residents to attend meetings and training sessions.

Organize block groups: Assist residents in forming groups based on common interests to foster community and mutual support.

Facilitate meetings: Organize and lead block meetings to discuss crime prevention strategies, share information, and address neighborhood concerns.

Crime Prevention and Reporting

Identify and Report Suspicious Activity: Educate residents on how to recognize and properly report any suspicious activity to the police and the Neighborhood Watch coordinator.

Implement Crime Prevention Techniques: Share best practices with residents to enhance the security of their homes and property.

Maintain Contact with Local Security Patrols: Establish and maintain a relationship with private security patrols in the area.

Keep a Log of Issues: Document incidents of break-ins, vandalism, graffiti, and any other concerns to share with neighbors and law enforcement.

Other Responsibilities

1. Participate in disaster preparedness training and work at the block level to implement a disaster preparedness protocol.

2. Distribute information: Relay updates from LUNA, the Neighborhood Watch coordinator, or law enforcement to residents in the block.

3. Delegate tasks: Coordinate and assign responsibilities within the block group.

4. Advocate for the program: Promote the benefits of the Neighborhood Watch and encourage community involvement.

***No Law Enforcement Authority

Please note that block captains do not possess any law enforcement authority; their role is solely to facilitate and coordinate activities within their neighborhoods.

Of course! We ask that you give us as much notice as possible and help us identify a replacement.

As a block captain, your time commitment is usually minimal, requiring about an hour each week to communicate with neighbors, organize or participate in meetings, and distribute information. In the event of a block emergency, be prepared to dedicate the necessary time to resolve the situation.

Here's a more detailed breakdown:

Initial Time Commitment: Introducing yourself to your neighbors, collecting contact information, and organizing the group will require some time. We encourage you to proceed at a pace that feels comfortable for you. Typically, you may spend several hours divided into multiple sessions to connect with everyone on your block.

Ongoing Time Commitment: Once the group is established, the time commitment will vary depending on circumstances and individual availability.

Responsibilities: Engage with neighbors, distribute information, and coordinate activities and meetings on your block. Additionally, connect with other LUNA block captains and the Neighborhood Watch Coordinator through communication channels, attending occasional meetings or events.

LUNA is currently recruiting both block captains and partners to help share the responsibilities and workload of existing block captains.

If you are interested in becoming an essential part of your neighborhood, please fill out the form below.