The Niagara Falls Block Club Council held its election of officers a few months ago. Our fearless leader, Roger Spurback, was re-elected president and Albert Bouley a newcomer to our group who is president of Hyde Park East Block Club, stepped up to become first vice president.

Christine Sanborn of the East Side Block Club is second vice president. Carol Hermanson of North End Block Club has the thankless job of keeping track of our meetings as secretary and yours truly of the Blockbusters Block Club is the treasurer.

We also have three elected trustees, Nancy DeCarlo of the Woodlawn Avenue Block Club, Joe Paonessa of the Black Creek Block Club and Candace Corsaro of the North End Block Club. These officers represent a cross-section of our city and we thank them for their active participation. It may seem like a thankless, non-paying, no pension job but in its own way it is very rewarding.

We have some goals this year and the most important one is to encourage other residents to form neighborhood block clubs. Not only does this bring back the feeling of a neighborhood again but it keeps everyone on their toes watching out for each other and reporting suspicious persons and events to those in authority.

We do not advocate vigilante or “wannabe” cops in our organizations as it is best to leave that where it belongs with the trained professionals.

Nor do we encourage active political participation. Public endorsement of individual candidates is prohibited in our by-laws but we certainly encourage voter registration and “getting out the vote.”

I hope to highlight some of our individual block clubs and their activities during 2007 in this column. And I will also keep you, the reader, informed of neighborhood successes such as demolitions and street and sidewalk repair. Participation in a block club helps to bring neighborhood eyesores to the attention of those who can do something about them. During 2006 we photographed more than 250 properties that “needed attention” and we are pleased to report that many were demolished or brought up to code by their owners during the year.

We have a system for reporting residents who do not handle their garbage according to the rules also. This is an ongoing problem throughout the city and we try very hard to keep a watchful eye out for these offenders.

Holding monthly or bi-monthly meetings in a neighborhood setting is one way for citizens to learn about law enforcement. The Niagara Falls Police Department shares this information by providing members of their department as speakers at our meetings.

We have learned about the different kinds of graffiti and what it means to the neighborhood, domestic violence, child abuse, victim assistance and crime scene investigation just to name a few. When you see what goes on behind the scenes it provides a better understanding of how the criminal justice system works. We are hoping to institute a beginner CPR program again through the Niagara Falls Fire Department as this was successful in the past. All of these are great learning experiences.

Homeland security has become a major part of our interest also. Roger Spurback has taken the responsibility of bringing needed information to block club groups on how to organize a telephone tree and learn who needs what in your neighborhood. Some of our members have become CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) members.

There are now 50 trained citizens in the city of Niagara Falls who stand ready to assist our professional first responders in the event of a natural or man-made disaster. I wonder how many of you realize how important this really is.

The Niagara Falls Block Club Council continues the motion detector installation program throughout the city of Niagara Falls. We purchase the equipment with grant money from the city and installation is provided through the I.B.E.W. Local 237. It has been proven that lighting is one of the best crime deterrents and we urge anyone who does not have one or more of these systems installed to call me (282-3599). All that is necessary is that you live in the city of Niagara Falls and have a place to put it. Make this a priority for 2007.

If you are interested in your neighborhood, call us about starting a neighborhood watch group. You can be as active as you wish. Finding a public place to meet is just the beginning. All we ask is that you hold neighborhood meetings and some events if you wish and that a representative of your group attends at least four of our Block Club Council meetings a year.

Naturally we hope you will take advantage of all we offer and be a strong catalyst in your area. Call me (282-3599) or Roger (285-5426) for more information and assistance.

Thank you for your encouragement and comments about my weekly articles and if you have any suggestions please feel free to let me know. Have a happy, safe, healthy and prosperous 2007!

Just a reminder: The Western New York Chamber Orchestra conducted by Glen Cortese has been rescheduled and will perform in a free candlelight concert at 7 p.m. Jan. 21 in the warm ambiance and radiant acoustics of Saint Mary of the Cataract Church, Fourth Street.

Norma Higgs serves with the Niagara Beautification Commission and Niagara Falls Block Club Council. Her columns appear Wednesdays in the Gazette.