Here are some good tips from a fellow neighbor of ours. I think these are all good things to keep in mind to keep both yourself safe and help the rest of the neighborhood.
"I am not an expert on safety and security, and my suggestions are items learned over the years, which I believe can help. I have read a few books from my studies in urban and city planning in addressing safety concerns in urban areas. Most things are common sense, but sometimes not followed through by residents.
Break-in Points:
Only desperate individuals will try to break in through front doors, most will want to be discreet, and look to use side or back doors and windows of our homes. These are the areas I feel we all need to be most concerned about as break-in points. I personally feel that these possible entry points should be reviewed with a bit extra care for security.
House Presences and Lighting:
Most thieves will typically not want to break in if they feel someone is at home, thus it is good to create that feeling at all times, mainly when we are not home. The biggest thing I see is in the evenings and especially nights as some residents do not leave their front porch lights on, and with their window shades closed, these houses appears dark. A dark house appears vacant, and is tempting to would be criminals. Leaving porch lights on also helps to light up the sidewalk and overall brightens up the street, and it gives the feeling of human presence, and thus that someone is watching.
Leaving lights on within the house is also essential in creating a ‘someone is home’ illusion, especially when we are at work, or out in the evenings and nights. As we get into the fall and winter, it gets darker sooner, so it becomes more important. Lighting near and around the side and back portions of the house is considerably significant. Motion sensor lighting is good, dusk to dawn lighting is probably better. I found a day light sensor screw-in socket for my front porch light that allows me to leave the light switch on at all times, and the sensor turns the light on and off depending on day or night. This is very affordable item and handy for energy savings, and in the late Fall and Winter seasons. Some homes may not have a power line for a rear patio light or side, but there are battery operated, motion sensor LED light devices that are easy to install and throw off enough light to brighten up dark areas.
Street Presence:
The phrase and theory of ‘eyes on the street’ developed by Jane Jacobs that states if you have people sitting on porches, in their living rooms looking out their front windows, gardening, etc. and having a presences on the street, is a way to reduce crime. Criminals do not commit crimes with on lookers. This theory I believe holds true today, and the more street presence and 'eyes on the street' we can create, the safer our street will be. Lighting helps, but also, being on our street. I walk as much as possible, with my family, alone, or with my dog, and I make an effort to greet anyone I see. I recognize some as neighbors, even if I’ve never met them, but others I know they are probably not from our street. I feel by greeting them, I’m letting them know I see them, and I believe will discourage any misbehavior on their part."
