Neighborhood Watch is a police-organized community awareness program aimed at reducing crime in the community. It involves getting to know one’s neighbors and introducing them to the concept of Neighborhood Watch, that is, good neighbors working together, alert to the potential of crime and willing to look out for one another’s interests.
Becoming familiar with the normal activity patterns within their community allows residents to recognize suspicious activities immediately. They are encouraged to call the police if something seems out of the ordinary. Neighbors coming together through Neighborhood Watch can combat crime in their area the most effective way – before it starts.
Crime prevention tips such as:
Before you leave on your (no doubt well deserved) summer vacation, take the time to review the security of your home:
- Avoid advertising plans to be away.
- Arrange to stop newspaper delivery and have someone collect mail and flyers from your mailbox.
- Put timers on interior lights.
- Put exterior lights on photo-electric switches to activate them at dusk.
- Load the car or trailer in the garage rather than in the driveway.
- Park a spare car, if you have one, in the driveway or ask a trusted neighbor to use your driveway.
- Consider arranging for a house-sitter for prolonged absences.
- Connect radio or TV to a timer.
- Turn down the ringer on your telephone or adjust the answering machine to pick up after three rings.
- Arrange for your lawn to be mowed.
- Leave a key with someone you trust.
- Let trusted neighbors know you are going to be away, for how long and where you can be contacted.
- Don’t hide keys outside – burglars know all the “good” places.
- Lock up ladders, tools and recreational equipment.
- Do not keep large amounts of money in your home.
- Mark valuable items for identification.
- Keep valuables in a safety deposit box at your bank.
- Give a trusted neighbor your alarm code. You can change the code when you return.
Take some time to think about security precautions before you go away. Common sense prevention is your best deterrent against crime.
The Neighborhood Watch program reminds you:
A community where residents are willing to look out for one anothers interests is a community where crimes are least likely to occur.