Keep Your Community Safe

Community KEEP YOUR SAFE

by Steve Gamel

You’d be hard-pressed to find anyone who hasn’t heard of the National Neighborhood Watch Program. One of the oldest and most effective crime prevention programs in the country, a Neighborhood Watch is a collection of everyday citizens who keep an eye on things and work with local police to deter crime and keep their neighborhoods safer.

Thousands of registered watch groups across the country have that familiar white and blue sign with the slogan that says, “We look out for each other.” But if you’ve noticed, they aren’t in every single neighborhood locally.

If you’d like to start one for your neighborhood, you can visit www.nnw.org/ register-watch. In the meantime, there are still ways you can reduce crime, improve communication among neighbors, and be more prepared when emergencies strike — with or without a formal Neighborhood Watch Program. Here are just a few to help you get started.

GET TO KNOW YOUR NEIGHBORS

We should all make it a point to get to know who is living next to us, even if they are six or seven houses down the road or on a nearby street. Does your neighbor have children? Where do they work? Are your neighbors older and need help every so often? Good neighbors who know each other communicate better, have ways to reach each other, are aware of each other’s tendencies (when people are at work, out of town, etc.), and can recognize suspicious behavior. Even if you don’t want to form an official watch group, knowing your neighbors keeps everyone in the know and concerns top of mind.

DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOUR LOCAL POLICE DEPARTMENT

to protect and serve, but they can’t keep track of all potential safety issues if they aren’t aware of them. The police are more than willing to meet with you and the rest of your neighbors to answer questions and share their knowledge. They may even be willing to increase daily patrols if you stress the importance of keeping the neighborhood safe. Who knows, they may help you start a Neighborhood Watch Program.

KEEP YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD LOOKING ITS BEST

Neighborhoods with expensive homes and manicured lawns aren’t immune to crime. But keeping your lawn mowed, your vehicles and garage doors locked, and your property well-lit and cared for can keep suspicious activity to a minimum. The goal is to make things more difficult for criminals who may be looking for an easy score.

IMPROVE THE LIGHTING ON YOUR STREET

Speaking of well-lit areas, talk to your Homeowner’s Association, city officials, and neighbors about improving lighting in any areas that are sorely lacking. Your local police work hard every day

Encourage neighbors to turn their porch lights on in the evenings.

EVERY HOUSE SHOULD HAVE A SECURITY SYSTEM

One of the best ways to improve safety and decrease criminal activity in neighborhoods or communities that don’t have a dedicated Neighborhood Watch Program is to ensure every home has a security system and that it is being used regularly. Burglars are less likely to invade homes that are clearly protected by cameras and other security systems.

START A NEIGHBORHOOD SOCIAL MEDIA GROUP

Most neighborhoods and communities have a Facebook group such as Lantana Life or What’s Happening Lake Cities. If yours doesn’t have one, be proactive in creating one and inviting your neighbors to join. They are the perfect forum to ask for referrals, have critical discussions, and yes, prevent crime. Neighbors who are in the know are more likely to stay happy and safe. The problem with many of these sites is that they can fall victim to cycles of negativity. If someone asks a question about something they noticed or want to understand better, be a good neighbor and help them in a positive way.