There are many things you can do to help lower or stop the crime in your community. It takes some work, but with time and genuine effort you and your community will see a difference.
1. Visit your local police department to get ideas on how your community can work with them to make it safer for everyone. Some of the benefits of getting together with the local police are :
What to do in an emergency.
What to do if you see suspicious activity in your neighborhood.
How to protect your house or apartment.
How to pay attention to details when you think illegal activity is going on.
How to protect yourself and your family members.
2. Start your own neighborhood watch. Get together with the neighbors in your immediate area. Sit down and discuss plans on keeping an eye on each other in the neighborhood. You can even go to National Sheriff's Association to begin a neighborhood watch.
3. Pay attention to details in your neighborhood. If you see something that you even remotely think is suspicious, call your local police. Do not wait to find out.
4. Stress to your neighbors that having an alarm system installed is an excellent precautionary measure. You can even shop around to see if alarm companies will give specials to a certain amount of people who are willing to get systems installed.
5. If your going to go out after a certain time of the night, let's say walking or running. Invite some neighbors to go with you. It is very unlikely for criminals to approach numerous people. Strength in numbers is what to go with. If you cannot get other people to go with you, take your dog with you. If you have no animal, wait until someone is willing to go with you.
6. Get with the neighbors who frequent staying home to be the eyes and ears of the neighborhood while everyone else is at work or school. Have them keep an eye out for suspicious activity in the area.
7. Pass around flyers to each neighbor with phone numbers to the local police, fire department, as well as the numbers to the other neighbors in the area. Be sure that they are clear, and large enough to read.
8. Keep a light on in the front and in the back of your home. Criminals are less likely to go to a house that is lit up then one that is not.
Please remember, if you do see a crime in progress or suspect one, do not take it into your own hands. Call your local police department immediately and report the crime. We are trying to reduce crime, not make more.
Source: Examiner.com
