Neighborhood Watch

Each of us is responsible for our own safety.

 

What are practical measures we can each take to prevent becoming a

victim of crime?

 

Knowing your neighbors is extremely important.

 

Know who lives where, thetypes of vehicles and whom they belong to,

where children live, and the work patterns of your neighbors. This

information will help you know what is normal and abnormal in your

neighborhood.

 

Simply by knowing your neighbors, you will be able to recognize

"suspicious" activity - a person or vehicle who does not belong in your

neighborhood - and can then determine if the law enforcement needs

to be called.

 

Be actively involved in your Neighborhood Watch program.

 

Through this program, your neighborhood works with the police or

sheriff's office by calling in suspicious and criminal activity. You will

learn how to secure your home and vehicle and how to work with law

enforcement to have a safe neighborhood. This program is proven to

prevent and reduce crime in neighborhoods.

 

Preventing Home Burglary:

 

You cannot make your residence totally burglarproof, but you can

make entry difficult so the burglar will go elsewhere in search of an

easier target.

 

1. Use appropriate deadbolt locks on all outside doors with 3"screws

in the strike plate.

 

2. Light up the outside of your home at night, all night. Photo cell or

motion sensor lights are great, or you can install a timer onyour switch

plate for your porch light.

 

3. Trim back trees and shrubbery from near doors and windows to

prevent providing hiding places for would-be burglars.

 

4. Close blinds and drapes at night. You don't want someone on the

outside knowing what property you have or knowing who is

home.

 

5. Install a wide-angle door viewer (peephole) in your front door so

you can see who is at your door before you open it. If you are not

expecting a repairman or other, ask them to show identification at the

door viewer or window.

 

6. Use appropriate locking/security devices on all windows.

 

7. Secure your vehicle in a garage, if you park on the street or in a

driveway, lock the doors and remove your property from it.

 

Recognizing and Reporting Suspicious Activity to Police: Anyone or

anything that seems out of place (abnormal) in your neighborhood is

suspicious and may end up as criminal activity. While some suspicious

activity has innocent explanations, law enforcement would rather be

called out on suspicious activity than be called after the crime

has been committed. Your 911 or non-emergency local police or

sheriff’s office call could save a life, prevent injury, or stop a criminal

act.

 

Listed are examples of suspicious activity:

 

1. Slow moving vehicles - repetitive or aimless

 

2. Vehicles being loaded with valuables

 

3. Abandoned vehicles

 

4. Suspicious persons going door-to-door, going into the back or side

yard, waiting in front of a business or house, forcing entrance to a

residence, business, or vehicle

 

5. Unusual noise, such as breaking glass, gunshots, or other loud

noise

 

Remember that prevention is the best defense in securing your

home and vehicle against intrusion.

 

Contact your local police department or sheriff's office to find your Neighborhood Watch group or to start one where you don't have one.