| Are you worried about neighborhood crime? It seems | | | | their jobs easier. |
| like crimes are on the front page of the newspaper | | | | Do not be afraid to call the police when you think a |
| almost every day. Whether you live in an urban | | | | crime may be happening in your neighborhood. |
| environment, an isolated rural home, or a new | | | | Perhaps they will even be able to catch the criminal in |
| subdivision, crime can happen to your neighborhood. | | | | the act; this is a lot easier than chasing after them |
| It's too easy to think that crime will never come to | | | | days later. Watch the news, and be aware of any |
| your neighborhood. Whether you are afraid to go for | | | | crimes that occur nearby so that you can be aware |
| a walk in your neighborhood or simply don't want | | | | of crimes that may be more likely to happen in your |
| crime to affect your family (and who does!), consider | | | | neighborhood. Look for signs of vandalism or drug |
| the following ways to stop neighborhood crime. | | | | activity, and know your police department's |
| A proactive approach to stopping crime in your | | | | non-emergency number in case you ever need them |
| neighborhood is much better than reacting once | | | | for a non-emergency situation. Report anything that |
| crimes start happening. A neighborhood watch | | | | seems out of place. |
| program is a good way to work to end crime in your | | | | No matter how safe you feel your neighborhood to |
| neighborhood, and has the added benefit of bringing | | | | be, there are a few steps you can take to make |
| together the people who live near you. Getting to | | | | your house the one on the block that's least likely to |
| know your neighbors can help you spot things or | | | | attract criminals. Keep your home well-lit, and your |
| people that are out of place right away. You may | | | | doors and windows locked. Make sure the curtains |
| have seen "neighborhood watch" signs along streets | | | | are closed, especially in any room where expensive |
| in some neighborhoods, and these can be helpful in | | | | electronics and similar possessions are readily visible. |
| deterring criminals by telling them that the | | | | Don't forget to protect you and your loved ones |
| homeowners will be watching for their suspicious | | | | directly through self defense products. Keep at least |
| actions. | | | | one can of pepper spray, a stun gun, or another |
| Understand what a neighborhood watch does before | | | | device in your home where it's readily accessible. You |
| you start one. Members of the neighborhood watch | | | | can also carry a keychain canister of pepper spray |
| should not be interrupting a burglary in progress, | | | | when walking or jogging outdoors, especially at night. |
| chasing the criminals, or tracking down perpetrators. | | | | No matter what steps you have taken to deter |
| A neighborhood watch is not a vigilante organization. | | | | criminals in your neighborhood, make sure that you |
| Instead, it is an agreement to watch for problems | | | | can still effectively protect yourself and your loved |
| throughout the neighborhood and report them to the | | | | ones from intruders. Even if you live in a "safe" part |
| police. Your local police will probably be able to help | | | | of town, it is still possible for crimes to affect your |
| you get one started; after all, these programs make | | | | neighbors, your family, and yourself. |