Crime and the perception of increased criminal activity has a significant impact on the quality of our lives in many ways. If folks feel unsafe, they don’t want to frequent a particular city, area, neighborhood or street. Fear of crime and actual crime are two different things, but both impact the desirability of locating your home or business in a community. As an area declines, a vicious cycle of deterioration begins, perpetuating an undesirable pattern of decline.
Local law enforcement works hard to stem criminal activity, but they need our help. I happen to live in a very involved neighborhood, one where neighbors look out for each other and aren’t afraid to call the Police Department about unusual activities or concerns that may be or may develop into criminal activity. This partnership helps keep our neighborhood safe and makes our neighborhood a desirable place to live. It follows that our home values are higher than many other neighborhoods. Every neighborhood can help keep themselves safe by letting local law enforcement know what’s going on in their neck of the woods.
Police can’t be on every corner, but we as residents ARE on every corner, so let’s help them help us by being the eyes, ears and feet of the community! You will be helping make your neighborhood and community safer, and helping your property values along the way!
How can you help?
- Start a neighborhood watch group in your neighborhood
- Let your local dispatch center know about unusual activities in your neighborhood
- Start a neighborhood association
- Put together an email list for your neighbors to communicate quickly about issues
- Contact your City about what they have to offer your neighborhood to make it safer!
It’s up to each of us to make where we live, work and play safer for us all!