While the first line of defense in home security is making sure your house has the latest and strongest locks, a neighborhood crime watch can help keep track of criminal activity that may occur outside the home. Strong locks, burglar alarms, and dogs are all excellent for discouraging potential intruders. Burglars want to get in and out of residences quickly and don't want to attract attention by setting off alarms, dealing with dogs or taking time to break through a lock.
But even when homes are well-protected, a neighborhood crime watch can be a vital way to help lower criminal activities in the neighborhood. Many crimes occur that aren't residential break-ins. For instance, it is possible to be robbed in a driveway, while walking on the sidewalk or during a daily jog around the block.
A vigilant neighborhood watch team can add extra layers of security to an area. When started and maintained properly, these organizations can have a major impact on crime rates. Neighbors working as a team learn how to watch for suspicious or unusual activity. By setting up email alerts, they can share information about anything that does happen.
So how do you start a Neighborhood Crime Watch? One of the best ways to begin is by contacting any local law enforcement agencies, including police or other officials who are responsible for your neighborhood and surrounding areas. They are often eager to speak at your first meeting since a neighborhood crime watch helps them, too.
When neighbors and the police work in cooperation, it is a win/win situation for everyone. Police can provide information about how and when to contact them. In some situations, they will regularly patrol neighborhoods until crime rates are reduced. Sometimes crime watches are formed after a rash of robberies or attacks in certain neighborhoods. If this is the case, neighbors may have specific notes or lists of particular concerns.
It is important to discuss these with police or other law officials. They can often offer helpful tips such as being sure to lock the door between the garage and the house, especially when the garage door is up. Little changes like these can make a huge difference.
One of the main ways neighborhood crime watches help reduce crime is by encouraging neighbors to communicate regularly with each other. It is often quickest to do this by email. Some neighbors may be hesitant to report potentially suspicious behavior by strangers in the area for fear of being wrong. All neighbors should be encouraged to error on the side of safety. Not all crimes are reported in the newspaper and neighbors working together can provide updates on anything that has been happening, from vandalism to robberies.
Neighbors who are going to leave town should either alert the entire watch team about this or at least have one or two trusted neighbors who can keep an eye on things. Again, the goal is to make the entire neighborhood safer by improving communication and taking an active part in watching for suspicious activities.
If specific crimes have been happening, set goals for reducing those activities. There should also be regular meetings where everyone can touch base on how things are coming along. If enough progress is made, law officials may give permission for a Neighborhood Crime Watch sign to be posted.
While everyone may be eager to work on several goals at one time, it is easier to have one clear and specific goal. As progress is made, others can be added to the list. Maybe people want to be able to walk or job safely around the block.
Designated members of the crime watch team could volunteer to be outside on certain days or even watch from their windows. Police officers may suggest that joggers and walkers have simple alarms which they can use to alert neighbors if they are attacked. By being pro-active and banding together, a strong neighborhood watch team can make the changes needed to keep crime to a minimum.
As has been illustrated above, a neighborhood watch program can be an effective way of preventing crime in your area. However, in case the would be burglars get past your eyes and ears on the ground it is also a good idea, so that you know what your vulnerabilities are, to have a full home security assessment done. If you live in the Sacramento California area then a professional locksmith such as Roseville Locksmith can provide such a service. For more information on security related issues please visit http://www.norcallocksmith.com/blog while there feel free to leave a question or post a response to any of the security related topics.
