NORTHWEST BLOCK WATCH COALITION, INC.

NWBWC's strengths lie in forming private / public partnerships with law enforcement and private corporations.

THE NORTHWEST BLOCK WATCH COALITION, Inc. was formed in 1992 in Phoenix Arizona when several northwest Phoenix block watch leaders formed a community partnership. Their first project was to raise funds to purchase a paint sprayer to eradicate graffiti.

The next course was to find a more proactive solution to the graffiti problem. Members of the NWBWC, Inc. traveled to Santa Barbara, California in 1994 to research the United Against Crime Anti- Graffiti program. Partnerships were developed with Phoenix City Officials, Phoenix Police Officers and school administrators, to develop the Graffiti Hotline, which quickly expanded Countywide. The Coalition has since expanded its partnership to include the Phoenix Police Department, Maricopa County Attorney's Office, United States Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona and other law enforcement agencies.

The Northwest Block Watch Coalition , Inc. commissioned two logo designs from a former graffiti vandal, which are utilized on coffee mugs and T-shirts. These items help promote the Graffiti Hotline.

To assist in criminal prosecution, digital cameras, donated by Eastman Kodak, are used to photograph graffiti. In addition graffiti locations can be tracked using GPS Satellite Data and ARC VIEW GIS tracking software, supplied by ESRI, Inc. Specialized "Night Vision" equipment, supplied by ITT Industries Night Vision, is used for special field operations with local law enforcement agencies. Our most recent corporate sponsors are Nitrite, Crimson Trace Corporation and Taser International.

With the help of a donated truck, the NWBWC, Inc. volunteers (the Stealth Team™) paint-out any reported graffiti as well as paint homes of low income senior citizens at no charge.