Guest post by Melanie @ DisasterPrepared.info
Living in a safe and secure environment means feeling comfortable and relaxed in your home – which is what everybody wants. Whether you live in a large urban center or a small suburban area, it’s important to take action to protect your neighborhood from crime and safety hazards. Below are some tips on how you can help keep your community safe.
Join or Start a Neighborhood Watch Program
Bob Vila notes that one of the best ways to ensure that your neighborhood is secure is to get involved with a local neighborhood watch program. These programs are created by local law enforcement and community members who share responsibility for keeping an eye out for criminal activity, reporting any suspicious behavior, and looking out for each other’s well-being. Joining an existing program is an easy way to get started, but if there isn’t one in your area, consider starting one.
Build Relationships with Neighbors
Having good relationships with neighbors doesn’t just make living more enjoyable, but also makes neighborhoods safer overall. Get to know those who live close by, whether by simply saying hello when passing each other on the sidewalk or having conversations over fences. Build positive relationships so that everyone feels comfortable not only speaking with each other but also coming together against any intruder who threatens their collective peace and prosperity.
Another great way to connect with your neighbors and facilitate greater communication and safety is by putting out a flyer. Include plenty of high-quality photos and updates on any issues or concerns your neighborhood has. If you aren’t sure how to get started, try searching for “the best flyer templates free download”. You can choose from over 50,000 templates and customize with your own text and graphics. From there, you can print off copies of your flyer and distribute them as well as share your flyer online.
Report Suspicious Activity to Police
Though it may be uncomfortable at times, reporting any suspicious behavior or activity should be done without hesitation. Some common signs of suspicious activity include attempts at break-ins, strangers lurking around homes or lots, and unfamiliar vehicles cruising through the street. Whenever possible, provide detailed information including the time of day, vehicle make and model, and descriptions of individuals involved in the activity to the authorities.
Park Cars in Well-Lit Areas
Cars left parked on the street overnight can become targets for burglars. It’s much harder for them to break into cars parked under bright lights or near busy streets during operating hours. Be sure that all car doors are locked when parked, too, even if there are no valuables inside.
Contact Your HOA About Security Issues
If you live within a homeowners association (HOA), contact its representatives about security issues, like hiring additional security guards or installing motion-activated lighting systems around interconnected homes or common areas like pools and playgrounds. This helps keep intruders away while providing safety measures that extend beyond those provided by just lockable doors and windows alone.
Walk in Groups at Night Whenever Possible
When walking outdoors at night, always bring along friends or family members for extra protection against potential assailants. If possible, SaferWatch suggests avoiding walking through secluded areas where attackers might hide out, and try to stay on busy streets with plenty of people (or surveillance cameras) watching over you at all times. Doing so increases visibility, which can help deter any would-be criminals from targeting you in the first place.
Trim Plants and Foliage to Eliminate Hiding Spots
It’s hard enough keeping up with regular maintenance like mowing grass and tending gardens. However, trimming any plants near windows and doors goes beyond being aesthetically pleasing. It also prevents criminals from using foliage as hiding spots while trying to gain access to homes unnoticed. Prune shrubs properly so that no part of them touches windowsills or door frames. By doing this, you reduce chances of anyone sneaking into your property undetected.
Keep Doors and Windows Locked
No matter how safe you feel in your home or how well-lit nearby streets may be, always make sure that all doors and windows are firmly locked before leaving the house and going to bed every night. This step may seem basic, but it plays a crucial role in preventing break-ins due to simple negligence.
Work with Your Neighborhood Association
Collaborating with your neighborhood association is a proactive approach to ensuring the safety and security of your community. By actively engaging with the association, residents can collectively address concerns and implement initiatives aimed at safeguarding our neighborhood. From organizing neighborhood watch programs and coordinating regular patrols to establishing communication channels for reporting suspicious activities, working hand in hand with the association fosters a sense of unity and shared responsibility among residents. Additionally, collaborating with local law enforcement agencies and implementing preventative measures like improved lighting and signage further enhance efforts to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all members of the community.
There are many steps you can take toward making your neighborhood a safer place. From joining (or starting) a neighborhood watch to contacting your homeowners or neighborhood association about security issues, these tips offer easy yet effective solutions which will undoubtedly enhance safety while allowing communities to come together.
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