Creating a Safer Neighborhood

Home invasion is on the rise in the United States. With alarm systems, surveillance cameras and reduced cash availability becoming common for stores and other businesses, residences are becoming more attractive targets for thieves. Organized neighborhood watch programs are designed to strengthen the sense of community in an area, and to warn criminals that residents are watching out for one another. Whether or not your community has an established neighborhood watch program, you can benefit from the same concept by building relationships with your neighbors and being a considerate neighbor yourself.

Getting to know your neighbors makes your home and neighborhood safer by instilling a sense of unity and ownership in the community. Make sure to introduce yourself to your neighbors on each side, across the street and behind your home if you have them. Communicate with your neighbors and their families, and make sure they are aware of who should be at your home. Interacting with your neighbors on a friendly level makes them familiar with your family routine and regular guests, increasing the likelihood that they will notice and take action if they witness suspicious behavior at your home.

Familiarity among the community becomes especially important when you are away from home for an extended period of time. If you will be away for several days, it is a wise idea to notify your neighbors in advance. If possible, make arrangements for someone to check the inside of your home periodically, leaving different lights on and collecting mail and newspapers to give the appearance that someone is home. Trusting a neighbor with a key to your home is preferred to hiding a key outside, since intruders tend to know where to look for hidden keys that will give them easy entry. Another good idea is to utilize a keyless door lock and share the entry code with a trusted neighbor.

In order to benefit from having good neighbors, you must be a good neighbor yourself. Volunteer to do everything for your neighbors that you hope they would do for you. When your neighbors will be away for several days, offer to gather mail, keep an eye on their home, and even park your car in their driveway occasionally to give the impression that someone is home. But stay alert for suspicious people and behavior in the area, even when your neighbors are home. Making a mental note of the regular visitors to your neighbors’ homes, such as scheduled lawn care personnel and friends, will make you more aware if you notice a suspicious visitor. Building trusting relationships with each of your neighbors creates a beneficial situation for everyone in the community.

About the Author: Nolan Mondrow is the owner of Zurich Products, a leading provider of quality security equipment, including the right keyless door lock to protect your family. For more information, please visit http://www.zurichproducts.com.