Avoid Crime in the Neighborhood
By: Bob Ruiz
March 24, 2011
We live in a nice, quiet neighborhood; however, there has been an increase in crime in our neighborhood lately. There are several things we, as neighbors, can do to prevent some of the crime that has infested our neighborhood.
First, keep your porch light on at night whether or not you are home. If you go away for the weekend or on vacation, let a friend or trusted neighbor know to keep an eye on your house. Have them remove newspapers or mail, so that it is not obvious that you are gone, and keep the porch lights on. Even if the lights are on during the day--that’s OK. How much does a light bulb cost? How much will a new laptop cost, if it is stolen? Do the math. Lock your doors.
Second, keep an eye on your street. Know who belongs and who does not. Be aware of people just sitting in a car parked on the street. Keep your garage door closed, when not in use. When in doubt, call the police non-emergency number: 528-5222. They will respond. Be patient. If it’s a non-emergency, it is a low priority. If you actually see a crime, call 911, obviously.
Third, get to know the people on your street. Exchange phone numbers. You don’t have to be BFF’s, if you don’t want to, but you should create a network of the people who live around you. Be nice to your neighbors--you may need them or they may need you in an emergency some day.
Finally, report any crime in the neighborhood to me, Bob Ruiz, by email: campanille@comcast.net and I will send the information through our neighborhood email list so that others can made aware.
This is a safe neighborhood, overall, because over the years we have been looking out for each other. In these economic times, more crime tends to happen. We just need to remain on guard.
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