The West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network had a chance on July 29 to take their first close look at what will eventually become a web-based community tool for blockwatch captains to identify their watch group online so that those interested in joining can simply enter their address and find out who to contact.

The tool is being developed with complete flexibility for the sake of anonymity. While some captains will be happy to include their name, address and personal email address, the tool will allow those concerned with anonymity to keep that information private (and, for example, use a generic email address for inquiries about joining the watch).

The Block Watch Finder tool is being developed by Chach Sikes with Code for America under a one-year fellowship with the City of Seattle. It is a subset of the larger program (also still in testing but available to tinker with online now) called CityGroups which is a public directory of groups in Seattle.

Reminder to blockwatch captains about testing on July 30, 31
This weekend's testing is an opportunity for blockwatch captains to provide direct feedback to the Sikes, the programmer actually developing the Finder tool.

To sign up for a testing session over the weekend, contact Chach Sikes at chacha@codeforamerica.org.

Here is more information from the West Seattle Blockwatch Captains’ Network:

Code for America is seeking a few Blockwatch Captains who are willing to try out and provide feedback on the new Blockwatch Captain finder tool. It will take approximately ½ hour; you can sign up for a timeslot on either Saturday or Sunday, July 30 or 31st, between 2:30-5:30. If you’d like to participate, here is the email from Chach with specifics:

Help test out a new web-based Block Watch Captain Finder

We are looking for West Seattle Block Watch Captains to help test and give feedback on a new web-based tool to help map Block Watches in Seattle. Code for America is building this tool as part of their project for the City of Seattle. The tool provides a directory of Block Watch Captains and the ability to map your block watch. The tool can integrate with other public databases of community groups, so that more people can find Block Watches closer to home.

Code for America would greatly appreciate feedback from Block Watch Captains. We invite you to help us test the site in a way that will provide the most useful feedback. It takes about 30 minutes, and is pretty easy – it just involves using a website and talking out loud you click around. We will videotape this, which will help us learn what works better for you.

If you are interested in getting involved, we have several appointment slots for 30 minute interviews on Saturday July 30 and Sunday July 31 from 2 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Interviews will be at a coffeeshop in West Seattle and/or at a local Block Watch Organizer’s home.

If you would like to volunteer your time, please contact Chach Sikes (chacha@codeforamerica.org) and we can schedule your appointment.

If these times do not work for you, but you are interested in helping out, do let us know and we can try to arrange for something.

Thank you so much! Your participation & feedback will make Seattle that much better of a place to live.

Chach Sikes
Code for America Fellow, 2011
emails: chacha@codeforamerica.org, chachasikes@gmail.com
twitter: @chachasikes
mobile: 415-425-9325