History

Prior to 1968 - City was experiencing serious crimes against children culminating in an unsolved molestation and murder of a young boy.

1968 Police Search for Frankie Jensen who's murder prompted the start of The Block Parent Program® in London Ontario

Link here to view C.F.P.L. Archived Video

Fall of 1968 - Pilot project started by the Council of Jewish Women with the solid support of the London Police, two School Boards and Home and School Associations. They had heard about successfully operating programs in the United States.

1970 - All elementary school areas in London were protected by the Block Parent® Program. It was noted that crimes against children had dropped, and the sign was acting as a deterrent to other crimes in the neighbourhood. Other areas were still being affected.

1972- London City Council took the program under its wing and the Program became part of the City of London Safety Sub-Committee. The Program is still generously supported by the City of London and its board members are still actively involved on the Community Safety & Crime Prevention Advisory Committee. The program expanded to St. Thomas, Sarnia, Hamilton, Ottawa and other cities in Ontario.

1973 - The first Block Parent® Program outside of Ontario was established in Edmonton.

1975 - The Canada Safety Council undertook national promotion of the Block Parent® Program, using London's program as a model.

February 1976 - Homemaker's Magazine printed an article about the Block Parent® Program. This contributed greatly to the establishment of Block Parent® Programs in communities across Canada. London was inundated with inquiries. The dissemination of information to all parts of Canada would not have been possible without the co-operation of the City of London.

May 1977 - The first Block Parent® conference was held in London, and at that time, the first provincial governing body was formed, namely the Ontario Block Parent® Program Inc.

October 1983 - The National Block Parent® Program was formed in Ottawa, with a Block Parent® representative of each province and territory in attendance. At subsequent National meetings, the Board of Directors of the Block Parent® Program of Canada Inc. was formed.

1987 - The Canada Safety Council ended its involvement with the Block Parent® Program, and transferred all rights of Block Parent® material to Block Parent® Program of Canada Inc.

1993 - Our 25th anniversary was celebrated in London by hosting a Block Parent® Conference. Delegates from all parts of Canada attended this special conference. In addition to this, there were special events in each province and territory to mark the success of the Block Parent® Program in Canada.

2008 - London played host once again for the National and Ontario Provincial Block Parent® Program Conference & 40th Anniversary Celebration Banquet. Delegates from across the country were in attendance with many of London’s outstanding volunteers who had a chance to reunite and reminisce and be thanked for their outstanding commitment to the safety of all Canadians.

2008 – The Program enhanced its residential Block Parent® sign to include new security and tracking features. It adopted an improved 10 step screening policy promoted nation wide a an online secure program to enhance local Programs ability to securely administer their Block Parent® volunteer information.