For over 35 years, the Block Parent® Program has been helping to make our communities safer. Throughout Canada, the red and white Block Parent® sign is a symbol of a safe refuge where assistance is available. Police, government departments, educators, sponsors and volunteers support the Block Parent® goal of providing safer communities for children and other citizens.

The Block Parent® Program helps communities to provide a network of police-screened, easily recognizable, safe homes for members of the community, especially children, to turn to in times of distress; to educate children about the Program, safety on the streets and safety within the home and to work together with the police, educators and other community groups toward safer communities.

A Block Parent® may be called upon to offer their home as a place of safety when someone is in a dangerous or frightening situation such as:

• bullied
• lost, hurt or ill
• caught in severe weather
• frightened by a stranger

Block Parent® volunteers are not expected to:

• provide food, drink, toilet facilities or transportation
• administer first aid
• leave their home to break up a fight
• open their door to anyone if they feel uneasy about the situation

A Block Parent® assists persons in distress by telephoning the appropriate emergency service (police, fire, ambulance, etc.) when necessary.

Block Parents are responsible adults who care sufficiently about the well-being of children and others to volunteer their homes as a temporary refuge in an emergency. All Block Parents are screened by the police and are given instructions on the program by local volunteers. The Block Parent® window sign is shown only when someone over the age of 18 is available to answer the door. If the sign is not displayed, this does not mean that no one is home, only that the Block Parent® is not available to offer immediate assistance. In addition to the primary goal of making communities safer for children, the Block Parent® Program deters criminals and trouble makers. The network of Block Parent® homes is a visible reminder that citizens are watchful in their neighbourhood.

For more information on the Barrie Block Parent program contact:

PC Angela Butler #5149
Barrie Police Service

705-725-7025 ext.2926
or
e-mail: abutler@police.barrie.on.ca