There are many easy steps you can take to make your community a better place.By building a relationship with your neighbors and your local police department, you will raise awareness and make it easier to make changes in your area.If you try to fight crime yourself, you won't find success.The goal is to make your community less welcoming for criminals, not to confront strangers or call the police when you see something suspicious.
Step 1: The stronger your community is, the safer it will be.
Introduce yourself to the people on your block, hang out outside and wave to people as they walk by, and chat with them.If you know everyone in your neighborhood, you'll be able to spot suspicious people more easily and it will be a huge deterrent to criminals.Criminals don't like being challenged.If a bunch of people in the neighborhood are chatting it up while a person is driving around looking for houses to break into, they will be put off.Positive loitering is a strategy you can use here.If you hang out with people in the neighborhood, you can show criminals that they aren't welcome.You can get to know your neighbors at a block party or garage sale.
Step 2: If anyone is interested, talk to your neighbors.
Call your local police department if you can get a few people to volunteer.The process can vary from area to area, so the police department will walk you through it.The police will assign a liaison officer to work with you.Once the watch is established, begin meeting regularly to establish objectives and decide where you want to focus your efforts.The first goal of a neighborhood watch is to report crime.Outside of that, you could organize youth events.Stay cautious and don't get paranoid about crime.People started feeling like they were the police because of some watch groups.To make sure things don't get carried away, keep everyone cool.
Step 3: The police organize outreach events for the public.
When you run into the officers at the coffee shop, introduce yourself and say hello.If there is a spike in car theft in your area, your local police will let you know in advance.If you ask nicely, it may encourage the police to patrol your area more often.
Step 4: If you see a crime happening, call the police.
If you see someone trying to get into your neighbor's house, call the police.If you want to report an ongoing issue or suspicious behavior, you should call your local police department.If law enforcement is involved, crime will not be accepted in your neighborhood.If there is no crime taking place or the suspicious activity is not an emergency, don't call the police.If issues that are not black and white are considered an emergency, check resources in your area to see what issues they expect to be reported to.In New York City, citizens are told to call the police if they see illegal marijuana smoking.Don't confront the criminals yourself.You are putting yourself in harm's way.The professionals should handle it.
Step 5: Send your state representative an email or call the mayor's office.
Ask them what they are planning to do to fix the problem when you voice your concerns about crime.You can raise the alarm by telling them about the issues in your neighborhood.Push your local politicians to help fight crime if they don't have a plan yet.They can tear down vacant properties in your area.A lot of evidence shows that abandoned buildings have higher crime rates.Ask for streetlights if you don't have them.Street lighting can lower crime.Let your local representative know if you notice an increase in problematic loitering or public drinking.
Step 6: Your area may attract crime if it is disorganized and unkempt.
If people don't care about the neighborhood, criminals are more likely to get away with something.You can host a block cleaning event where neighbors clean up litter, or you can mow the grass on that vacant lot.You can deter criminals from hanging around in your area by fixing the area up.It's a good idea to clean and paint over the graffiti in your neighborhood.The phenomenon is called broken window theory.Small signs of decay, like broken windows, send a psychological message that law and order are not being enforced.There is evidence that it has merit.
Step 7: You can prevent crime on the block by installing security cameras.
Before cameras are installed on the front and back of your home, you need to get quotes from local contractors.Encourage your neighbors to do the same by choosing locations where the cameras will be visible.Criminals will not come to your home.If enough people in your neighborhood put cameras up, it will have a positive impact on the area as a whole.
Step 8: Talk to your local politicians about putting up signs against crime.
Neighborhood watch signs and active law enforcement zone signs can have a big impact.You can put "we call the police" signs in your yard and window to encourage your neighbors to do the same.If the neighborhood is on the lookout for suspicious behavior, criminals are less likely to hang around.Even if you don't have a security system installed, you can still put a sign in your yard.Even if you don't have an official neighborhood watch, you can still ask about putting up signs.Criminals will not know the difference.Before you put signs on electrical poles, consult your local government.They are usually going to honor small requests like these.
Step 9: The mind is put at ease by nature.
Well-maintained green spaces aren't a deterrent on their own, but they have a naturally calming effect that may lower crimeIf you want to bring people into your area, you can turn a vacant lot into a community garden or work on your home garden.You can host an event at the park to get rid of litter and plant something new.Make sure your hedges and bushes are trimmed low so that you can see out of the window.If you keep them small, a potential thief won't be able to hide while trying to break in.
Step 10: Prevention is the best way to reduce crime.
Younger people commit more crimes than older people.Giving the youth in your area more things to do is a great way to keep them on the right track.Call your local Boys and Girls Club and ask if they need volunteers or reach out to a local non-profit and give them a check.Supporting local community organizations will keep crime down in your area.It's a great way to make the world a better place.Positive vibes will make you feel better about your neighborhood.