Below are some frequently asked questions and other Cyberblockwatch policies and Q&As.

What is Cyberblockwatch?

• CBW is a social website used to share crime information and safety tips wthin indvidual neighborhood(s). It is 100% citizen-managed from the front end: Registered Users (neighbors) submitting Crime Alerts and back end: Volunteer Citizen Administrators (also neighbors) reviewing, editing and dispatching Crime Alerts, circulating safety tips and providing neighborhood-specific content for the website.

Who are the administrators?

• They are volunteer citizen neighbors who live in the area and want to help do their part in reducing crime.  Check with your neighborhood association or attend one of the many civic meetings held and ask someone who they are.

Are Crime Alerts really annoymous?

• Crime Alert posts are annonymous from the outside user’s perspective. However CBW collects important information when you register including your name, email and IP address.
• When you Comment on a Crime Alert, your user name is displayed to the public.
• Note that all transactions on the website are recorded and can be tracked back to you through the system. Post and share responsibly.

What about the potential for malice?

• CBW is a closed system. To protect our Registered Users, all posts are reviewed and edited before posting and circulating email alerts.
• CBW is about neighbors against crime, not neighbors against neighbors. If you have a personal issue with a neighbor, work it out someplace else. The same goes for negative comments, sarcasm, or personal opinions. They do not belong here.
• CBW is a social website and all social rules apply. Please post responsibly and just the facts. Contact the website administrator if someone has posted something offensive or incorrect. We’ll do our best to correct any misinformation.

How long does it take to get a post approved and circulated?

• This site is entirely run by volunteer neighbors. We try to clear and circulate posts within hours, but may take up to 24 hours. Note that this is not intended to be an immediate process. The purpose of this site is to share crime that has occurred to you or report suspicous activity in your neighborhood – so you can be more aware and learn from others and their experiences.

I posted a Crime Alert but it never made it to the site. What can I do to improve my post success rate?

• Crime Alerts where you have reported the crime or suspicious activity to the police have a greater chance of being posted. We recommend you always call the police at 645-4545 for non emergencies and 911 for an emergency.
• Unfortunately not all posts make it to the site. This could be because of lack of information, gag posts, posts out of our jurisdiction, etc. To protect our Registered Users, CBW reserves the right to edit or even not post a Crime Alert at our discrection for any reason.
• Note that all transactions on the website are recorded and can be tracked back to you. Abusers will be deleted, reported and banned from the site.
  

Can I Comment on a post after it has been published?

• Yes. If you feel you have important or constructive information that pertains to a recent post, you may log in and leave Comments.
• Comments are not entirely annonymous. Your user display name will be visible.
• The same rules apply when leaving a Comment as submitting a Crime Alert. Please post responsibly, just the facts. Negative comments, sarcasm, or personal opinions do not belong here.
• CBW is about neighbors against crime, not neighbors against neighbors. We reserve the right to edit or delete any Comments.
• CBW is a social website and all social rules apply. Please post responsibly and just the facts. Contact the website administrator if someone has posted something offensive or incorrect. We’ll do our best to correct any misinformation.

What type of photos can I upload to the system?

• Currently you can upload photos of your YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY DAMAGE to the website if you think it will help others learn from your experience.
• According to the CPD you can also post photos of people as long as they are in the act of breaking the law. However DO NOT EVER PUT YOURSELF IN HARM’S WAY TO TAKE A PHOTO.
• Police approved photos may be included on the site. In all cases, use discretion. CBW administrators will review and determine case by case. Not all photos will be approved and posted.

Have you thought about integrating video into the site?

• Yes. We are looking into live video feed possibilities in later versions of the site.

How can we get a website like this for our neighborhood?

• Currently CBW is a test program for German Village & Schumacher Place neighborhoods only. We are actively working on expansion to other neighborhoods and seeking ways to fund the process. Click here to stay in the loop on the progress.