Days are gone when kids in the neighborhood used to play kick-the-can in the middle of the street every summer night. The sad truth, however, is that neighborhood dynamics are not as tight as they were just a decade or two ago, likely owing to paranoid parents and uninterested children. Neighborhood safety is compromised without this feeling.
Furthermore, it can save you money and time as well as make you feel safe. Burglaries can cost nearly $3,000 on average. If you create solidarity with your neighbors, you’ll benefit from the fact that burglars will likely strike again in areas that they have already attacked.
Safe neighborhoods are a team effort, but they begin with each individual. Do you have any ideas for making your neighborhood a safer place? Here are a few suggestions.
Be Friends With Your Neighbors
You can benefit from becoming familiar with your neighbors. You never know if your neighbor might reciprocate the offer in case of an emergency or need for help. Check with them first.
What should you do if you come across a small child? Do you know of any older couples who stay at home but occasionally need assistance? Do you need to contact your neighbor if you see the animals outside? Do they have indoor pets?
Getting to know your neighbors better can be as simple as planning a physical activity-based get-together. Go on walks with your children or play outdoors. Kids should be kept away from traffic and taught the rules of safe play outside.
Be Organized
If you live near a neighborhood watch group, think about joining one. In case you’re not sure how to get started with a neighborhood association, we outlined how to get Neighborhood Watch started.
It may be useful to create a calling tree for the neighborhood in times of trouble, whether it’s a property crime or a more sinister crime like violence.
A neighborhood safety app may also enable neighbors to disclose safety/burglary incidents so others can be alerted. So you’re not relying on subjective assumptions about neighborhood safety, these apps can flag specific crime occurrences.
Consider your neighborhood safety app carefully, since Ring’s Neighbors app has had the potential to compromise your privacy. Take into consideration what neighborhood incidents should be addressed by the police, as well as when other approaches can be employed.
You may also want to have a look at Public Safety Scheduling Software to ensure you have the help you need when you need it.
Maintain Your Yard
Keeping your yard well maintained can work as a deterrent to crime since trimmed trees offer fewer areas where criminals can hide. Moreover, fences are an excellent way to keep unwanted guests from entering your property.
It should be noted that crime prevention measures can get pretty expensive from time to time. When you want to prevent property crime but a landscaping/construction project isn’t within your present budget, lean on these free tips from our article.
Be Careful When Out of Town
Thieves most commonly use easily visible cues to select targets. Details such as building type or signs of vacancy fall under this category. We can’t overstate how important it is to make your absence appear as though you’re at home.
To watch over each other’s properties while out of town, swap offers with neighbors. It only takes a small effort to keep crime at bay.
Some favors may be as simple as mowing the lawn, shoveling the walks, and picking up the mail. Even if you’re away, you can have a neighbor park in your driveway occasionally. Just make sure you return the favor if no money is exchanged.
Find a smart security system that allows you to remotely turn on and off your lamps. You can also set timers for your lights.
Keep Your Windows and Doors Closed at Night
Without anyone knowing it’s there, a big-screen TV is less appealing. Your house can be viewed at night as you leave the blinds open and the lights on, providing a look at the layout and habits of your occupants. An uninvited guest is let in if you leave the house windows open, especially at night.
Improve the Street Lighting
The majority of burglars target neighborhoods with low residential density. Therefore, if your neighborhood has few houses and lots of space, make sure that space is well lit. Lighting your streets is not the only way to achieve this.
Ask each household to turn on their porch lights at night and to install motion-detector lights at the back or side of the house so that potential intruders will not be able to hide.
It takes a team effort to improve neighborhood safety, but someone has to start it. With some of the ideas above, you will not only make your neighborhood a safer place to live, but also a more enjoyable one. Get to know your neighbors, discuss your concerns, and use some of the ideas above.
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