subject: Neighbors Can Unite For Increased Neighborhood Safety [print this page] Not only is it a good idea to get to know the people who live around you, but did you know that doing so can help increase home security in the neighborhood? Most of the time burglars are in and out without a hitch. However, when they are spotted and authorities are alerted, it is generally by a neighbor.
Everyone can recall in the sitcoms of old how the neighborhood moms would take some sort of baked good over to the new neighbors. Well, thats not actually a bad idea. It is a great way of establishing the basis for a potential friendship. You can also tell them a little bit about the neighborhood and inform them about the neighborhood watch program (if one exists).
Neighborhood watches are an effective way of maintaining a high level of home security in your area. If your neighborhood does not have any sort of neighborhood watch program, there are lots of ways of going about getting one started. There are really only two steps, with the first being the hardest.
The first step is to gather all the neighbors and discuss security concerns. A great way to gather the neighbors and create a fun and friendly environment is to have a block party. Invite everyone and have each person bring food. During the meal, someone should be designated to speak on the safety concerns for the area. Once concerns are addressed, the goal is to get everyone to agree to participate in a neighborhood watch. At the end of the day, everyone will realize that home security is of the utmost importance and will agree to participate.
Step two is a lot easier. Now that everyone has consented, a couple of people should take up the task of designating duties to each and every neighbor. Once things are sorted, an effective way to distribute the information is by email. Creating a neighborhood listserv is an excellent idea. This way, changes and substitutes can be requested, and updates can be sent out.
Another idea for the listserv is for people to send an email when their family will be out of town. This allows the other neighbors to keep a special eye out for that home while the family is out of town. A neighborhood watch combined with a good home security system should keep the burglars away, for sure.
If you cant get a neighborhood watch going, it still wouldnt hurt to get out and meet the neighbors. Perhaps one day you could use a baby sitter. Maybe you will need a house sitter for when you go on vacation another effective way of preventing burglary, by the way. Or maybe you will just need to borrow a couple of eggs.
Getting to know the neighbors and building relationships helps to form a sense of community that will strengthen efforts to keep each and every one protected. So, make sure you say hello to your neighbor when you go out to get the paper tomorrow morning.
Neighbors Can Unite For Increased Neighborhood Safety
