Boardwalk Addition

Useful Neighborhood Watch Information

Guidelines For Maintaining A Neighborhood Watch Program

• Be alert to unusual or suspicious behavior in your neighborhood. Call the
police if warranted. Write down descriptions of the person(s) and license numbers of any vehicles involved.
• Tell a trusted neighbor if your house will be unoccupied for an extended period. Tell him or her how to reach you in an emergency.
• Look after your neighbors’ homes when they are away, and ask them to look after yours. This includes picking up mail or newspapers and putting back the garbage cans or recycling bins. Don’t leave signals that say, “no one is home.”
• Attend Neighborhood Watch meetings often. Your local crime prevention officer will teach you about local crime trends and what you can do about them.
• Above all, get involved. It is the most effective way to reduce or prevent crime and make your neighborhood safe.
• Remember, your job is to report crime. The responsibility for apprehending criminals belongs to the POLICE.

The Key To Personal Safety: Reduce The Risk

The first step in personal safety is to STAY ALERT at all times. Be aware of your surroundings and the people in the area wherever you are.

LEAVE whenever you are in an uncomfortable situation.

SAFETY AT HOME
Most of us usually remember to lock up when we leave home, but many of us are lax about security when at home. This is backwards – protecting lives is far more important than protecting valuables. These steps can make your home safer for you:
• Use dead bolts and a door viewer.
• Change all locks when moving to a new home or apartment.
• Don’t let strangers in. Verify the identities of all repairmen and try not to be alone when they are there.
• Be careful about information you give out over the phone or in public.
• Lock the doors, even if stepping out for a minute or working in the back yard.
• If you come home and it looks as though someone has broken in, do not enter. Call the police from a safe place. Be careful when using common areas in apartments, laundry rooms, lounges, etc., especially at night.

FOR WOMEN

• Don’t put your first name in telephone book or on mailbox.
• Never admit that
are home alone.
• You should consider installing a telephone line just to your bedroom. This would prevent an intruder from disabling your phone by lifting the receiver in another room off the hook.

WHEN WALKING

• Walk with confidence and purpose.
• Dress for freedom of movement.
• Plan the safest route and use it.
• At night, stay away from shrubs, isolated areas, and vacant lots. Stay in lighted areas.
• Carry a loud whistle.
• Walk facing traffic. Keep your distance from stopped vehicles.
• If you are followed on foot, go to a public place for safety. If followed by a car, turn and walk in the opposite direction.
• Have your house or car key already in hand when you get home or to your car.

Links

Neighborhood Crime Watch Training Guide Download