Ways To Make Your Home And Neighborhood Safe From Crime
We can't deny that crime is on the rise and it is the responsibility of all of us to do what we can to control it. You may not become best friends with your neighbors. You may not even like them, but, if you want to ensure their safety, and your own, you must get to know them.
Walk the blocks around your home and talk to everyone you meet. Next, organize a block party. You should invite everyone who lives up to fifteen minutes walk from your own home. A pot luck supper is the easiest way to entertain a large group. Get all the help available. At this party, get a list of all the names and phone numbers of anyone interested in tightening the security in your area. Since you started the ball rolling, you will be the primary leader. You are going to need at least half a dozen helpers who will make decisions, let everyone know what is going on, and set up a network so information can travel fast if any new alarming issues develop, such as a child gone missing.
Organize a group, which should include the children, to clean up the area. Pick up litter, cut the grass, and make any necessary property repairs. This will give people pride in their community. Make sure sidewalks are kept clear. Cut bushes back from sidewalks to make them safer for walking after dark. Some neighbors, especially the handicapped or elderly, may need help with this. Solicit volunteers. You must be the first.
Everyone should be encouraged to keep a dim porch light on all night. LED of course. If you are away for the evening or longer, leave an interior light on as well. Light is one of the two things that discourage criminals. The other is noise, as from a barking dog. An interior light will also let the neighborhood watchers know that you are away so they can keep an extra eye on your home.
Keep all gates and garages shut and locked if possible. If there is a door connecting the house to the garage, this should be kept locked as well. No place to hide will keep evil doers in view.
For those that are out in the evening, suggest car pooling. The driver should always wait until the passenger has entered the house, locked the door, and turned on a light, before they drive away.
Keep in close contact with the police and report any information you have regarding questionable activity in your area. Collect, and distribute, any brochures they have available for neighborhood safety.
Have your neighborhood group work with local government and law enforcement to set up systems wherein you can report criminal activity and coordinate efforts for increased vigilance on illegal activities and prosecutions.
Start a neighborhood watch for the young children in the area so they will have havens of safety in fearful situations. Start a neighborhood evening patrol to check the area for any sighs of trouble. This should go on as late and as long as it is needed.
Get to know the youth in your area and make an effort to get them off the streets and involved in sports, schooling, and social entertainment. Enlist a group of volunteers to work with these youth.
Keep the neighborhood alert. A good way to do this would be to have a little monthly flyer printed up and distributed with all the latest news, crimes viewed and reported, and any new measures considered worth instigating.
Be ever vigilant and ever involved.