How would it make you feel to know you have played a part you have played a part in making your neighbourhood a safer place to live? There are many ways in which you can get involved, whether you are only available a couple of evenings a week and don’t necessarily think you have the required skills or experience.
Whether you offer to volunteer a few hours a week or can help reduce graffiti in your neighbourhood, any help is sure to be welcomed in your neighbourhood.
How about organising or joining a home or Neighbourhood Watch with other residents and local people. These watches are run entirely by the community and volunteers alone, working in their own free time.
How about researching into becoming a police support volunteer? Police support volunteers are people who work alongside the police in anything from helping with community events and supporting victims of hate crime. As a police support volunteer, you may also be asked to talk with schools and local businesses about how everyone can help make their neighbourhood a safer and friendlier environment. Encourage people to get involved.
You could also get involved in being a volunteer for crime stoppers. Join many other volunteers who are already helping this independent crime-fighting charity.
Getting to know your neighbours is key when it comes to neighbourhood watch. Knowing what they look like and when they work, also if they have children, will help you be aware of who is in your neighbourhood and what could be suspicious.
Be extra cautious when you are going away or on holiday. Burglars have often watched a home for a few days to see the pattern of the household i.e.- when people come and go. Advise your neighbours that you are going to be away so that they can keep an eye out for any suspicious activity. It may be a good idea to use timers on your lights to make it look like someone is home. Ensure you have a security system in place like an alarm or CCTV cameras. This way you are more likely to deter a burglar away.
When you go to bed at night, ensure that all windows and blinds are closed, if expensive belongings are left on show, it is more likely to entice a thief into the house. If blinds/curtains are left open, it is easier to see the layout of your house.
Get to know your local police department. Explain to them that you want to live in a safer neighbourhood and are thinking of ways to promote this. They may be able to offer some support.
Having a home security system in your home is undoubtedly one of the surest options to improve the safety of your home in any neighbourhood. The more secure families make their homes, the number of robberies will most certainly decrease in your area. Make sure you don’t make your home an easy target for those burglars. A safe neighbourhood is a happy neighbourhood.
Jane Jackson