Why We Prepare

“there's no harm in hoping for the best as long as you're prepared for the worst."     Stephen King, Different Seasons
Emergencies, disasters, crime and disregard for safety are all issues which have the potential to directly impact our neighborhood.  A little preparation and education can go a long way in helping to minimize the risks.

Emergencies and Disasters

You're sitting at the kitchen table one rainy winter evening, tapping away at your laptop when you begin to sense an unfamiliar vibration.  The lamp over the table is swaying. It feels like the whole room is moving slightly. This continues for several seconds. What's going on?  Then the first jolt hits.  Cupboards fly open dumping their contents. The goldfish bowl hits the floor.  The lights go out.  The kitchen shifts violently as additional jolts arrive randomly.  You are tempted to run outside or to the family room where your other household members are but you remember your training. You duck under the table, crouch down very low and hold on tightly to a table leg so it doesn't slide away from you.  You can't see much.  The sounds of falling objects echo through the house as it groans from the shifting earth.  It doesn't seem to stop.  The situation feels dire but you don't panic.  You call out to the others and hear the reassuring reply that they have found a place to duck, cover and hold on as well.  You have practiced for this.  Minutes go by before it finally seems to settle down.  Then it becomes very quiet.  You recall what steps to perform next and begin to act.
We have numerous hazards in our region that have the potential to cause physical harm and disrupt aspects of modern life we take for granted. All of us should be prepared to survive isolated within our living group without power, water, natural gas, access to stores, communication, and transportation for extended periods of time.  Take a moment to think about the implications. How will daily life be different when this occurs?  How will you respond?

During a widespread disaster there will be simultaneous emergencies all over.  Calling 911 will have no effect even if you are able to get through.  Most first responders we normally rely on (police, fire, EMT) don't live in our city,  They will need to find a way to get to their jobs on potentially unpassable roads once they are satisfied their own families are secure.  First responders will be overwhelmed.  They will follow a mandate to focus on doing the most good for the most number of people.  This will place emphasis on areas with structures containing high population concentrations (office buildings, high-rise apartments, schools, hospitals).  Help in Somerset may be delayed for hours, days or weeks.
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Learning what disasters we are vulnerable to and how to respond, both during an event and immediately following, will greatly improve survivability. The following sites provide a starting point where additional information relevant to our region can be found.

​Bellevue Office of Emergency Management

Washington State Emergency Management

Crime and Safety

You notice a strange car has been parked up the street for a while with occupants inside.  No one has come out of the car but another car stopped by and there was a brief conversation between the two cars.  The second car left but the first one remains parked there.  It's been several hours.  You wonder what's going on.....

Somerset has it's share of criminal activity ranging from occupied loitering cars, often with young people, drinking, doing drugs and leaving trash behind to more serious mailbox theft, vandalism, vehicle break-ins and home burglaries.  None of us is immune to the threats and some of us have direct experience with it.

Crime prevention and maintaining safety is the primary focus of our Bellevue Police Department.  They are here to help but can only provide help if they are informed when problems arise.
  • Never feel reluctant to call police to report a problem or share a concern
  • In an emergency dial 911 to reach police 
  • Report non-emergency concerns online or call 425-577-5656
  • You can also use the MyBellevue app to report non-emergency safety or security concerns
​It is up to all of us to be watchful and communicate with our neighbors and police about what we encounter, see and hear. 

Forming block groups helps to build strong neighbor-to-neighbor connections which in turn helps prevent crime and improves safety and disaster preparedness.  With this connection, if you see something unusual going on at or near a neighbor's house you know you can feel comfortable calling them to ask if everything is okay.  They expect you to do this and would do the same for you.  By looking out for each other we improve safety and resilience to crime.

Learning about crime prevention in our area and how to respond is a first step in becoming better prepared.  The following sites provide a starting point.

Bellevue Police Department

Washington State Patrol