The Block Parent program is being revived in Riverview.
Participants put up signs in their windows to indicate they are a safe home for children in distress.
The Block Parent program originated in Canada in the late 1960s but for reasons related to funding, lack of volunteers and overall changes in society, it has been struggling in recent years.
Riverview resident Jason Savage says the idea to bring it back to the town stems from a group of folks who got together last fall to address bullying issues in the community.
“Right now we are going through the process of getting people in to have their police background checks done and probably by Monday we will be starting to issue some window signs.”
Savage says about 25 households have signed up to be Block Parents so far.
“Ultimately we would like to see one of those red and white signs in a window, at least one window on every street within the town.”
If someone wants to become a Block Parent, everyone over age 12 in the household must undergo a police background check and there is a short interview.
Savage says anyone over 18 can join and it doesn’t matter if you’re single, married or not even a parent.
More details can be found on their Facebook page, Block Parent Program – Riverview.