Block Watch History

Powerstown Block Watch History

(formerly Snoop Block Watch)

by Nora Seivert

The summer of 1999 was hectic for the neighbors of Neilson Avenue, Powers Way and Sheridan Road. Boom boxes from cars would shake the windows in the frames of houses. Underage boys and girls were able to obtain beer from the corner store on Powers Way. Drugs were being sold from the house on the corner of Windsor and Powers Way. There was fighting and yelling in the streets at all times of the day and night. Nine one one (911) was always being called, but the police were not able to bring it to an end. The neighbors complained but were not able to stop it. John R. Swierz, our councilman, tried to help us, but, he said we had to organize. We must start a block watch.

Finally, Jesse Goss from Neilson Avenue contacted a few neighbors and John R. Swierz arranged to have us meet at Fire Station #9. On October 12, 1999 at 7 o'clock, we squeezed into a room at the fire station. There were twelve neighbors, John R. Swierz, and Officer Ron Foley from the Youngstown Police Department.

By the time the meeting ended, Nora Seivert was elected president, Jim Seivert vice president, and Tina Tablack secretary. Sheridan Road, Neilson Avenue, Powers Way and Pointview were the streets our block watch would cover--SNP. Tina and John R. Swierz suggested the O O and SNOOP was born. We decided to meet on the second Tuesday of the month and later it was changed to the second Thursday.  John R. Swierz suggested we meet at Jackson School. Our next meeting was held November 9, 1999, at Jackson School.

Many of the people at the original meeting have moved on or passed on, and we have changed the name, but our block watch lives on.