How to Organize a Neighborhood Watch Program

It seems impossible that there is someone out there in the US that has never heard of Neighborhood Watch or knows what it represents. But, just in case, a Neighborhood Watch program consists of a group of people from the same local area who volunteer to make their neighborhood safer by working together in conjunction with local law enforcement to reduce crime in their area. Neighborhood Watch groups perform a variety of functions and activities. Along with their primary focus of patrolling their neighborhoods, they also dispense crime prevention literature, conduct business assessments and home security surveys, and perform neighborhood clean-ups.

It’s easy to set up your own Neighborhood Watch group and there is plenty of start-up information available online at USAonWatch.org (http://www.usaonwatch.org) to help you get started and organized. The biggest thing to remember is that Neighborhood Watch is built upon relationships between your neighbors and your local law enforcement. The police are there to help out. It’s up to you to keep the flow of energy going.

Though the thought of setting up a Neighborhood Watch might seem daunting, it’s not really, though it does take drive, initiative and persistence. In their Neighborhood Watch Manual, USAonWatch gives you the basic five steps to setting up your group with a lot of additional information that covers the why and how-to. They are:

Step 1: Recruit and organize as many neighbors as possible.
Step 2: Contact your local law enforcement agency and schedule a meeting.
Step 3: Discuss community concerns and develop an action plan.
Step 4: Hold regular meetings and train on relevant skills.
Step 5: Implement a phone tree and take action steps.

Step 1 involves the recruiting and organizing of your neighbors. Get some of your closest neighbors together and talk with them about their concerns over crime and safety in the neighborhood. Collect as much information you can, plan out how to promote your recruiting efforts, and then put it into effect.

Step 2 should be a meeting with a representative of your local law enforcement to see what they can do or provide to help you build this new group. This is also the time when you should register with USAonWatch.

Step 3 is the development of the group’s action plan. Again discuss the neighborhood’s concerns over crime and safety, but now it’s time to apply action. Establish your goals and objectives and set down the steps on how each goal or objective is going to be met.

Step 4 should be the scheduling of training for the group’s members. Your local police department should be able to help here, in addition to organizations like USAonWatch that can provide certain resources to assist you. The better the training, the more effective the group’s efforts.

Step 5 is making everyone in your neighborhood aware of the new Neighborhood Watch group. Have a block party, set up a newsletter or use social media. From here on, you need to keep up the training sessions, the excitement and the interest to keep the group going.

There is no doubt that organizing a new group and keeping it running is hard work, because it is. But, it is also one of the most rewarding things you can do. Give it a go. You and your neighbors will most definitely benefit from your efforts.

Springtime: Open Windows and Home Security

Winter is over, the sun is warm and trees are just beginning to bud … springtime. Time to open those windows, let the spring air in and chase the winter out, to landscape and replant, to repair and clean your home. Unfortunately, it’s also time for those looking for an easy mark to start cruising the neighborhoods, looking for signs of opportunities.

Spring brings a whole new set of possibilities for those looking to burglarize homes. Open windows are very enticing, particularly if no one is home or it’s night and everyone is asleep. With windows and doors being opened more often, the risk of forgetting to lock them again grows substantially. Bushes and hedges grown thick provide good hiding places, and unpruned trees provide a good step-up to that second story bedroom window. Plus, with spring comes spring break, a time for vacation where families take their first yearly excursion to enjoy the warm sun and outdoors, leaving their homes vacated.

This spring when you are repairing your home and re-establishing your yard, there are a few things you can do that will enhance not only the beauty, but the security of your home.

For starters, keep your yard up, particularly when on vacation. One of the things a prospective burglar will look for is signs that no one is home. Uncut grass and untrimmed bushes are a dead give-away, not to mention thick bushes and hedges make the best hiding places for someone trying to sneak up to the house. Trim the bushes and hedges. You need to maintain that “we haven’t gone anywhere” look. Even when on a trip, arrange to have someone cut the grass and pickup the newspapers and mail from the mailbox.

You will also want to prune those tree limbs that have grown too close to the house. They can act as a great boost to the second story windows.

And, speaking of windows, plant prickly evergreens beneath your first-floor windows to help dissuade would-be thieves.

In keeping with the “we haven’t gone anywhere” theme, make use of your indoor and outdoor house lights. Either manually turn on the lights in a few rooms in the house, including the outdoor porch light, to give that “we are home” look, or get a home automated system that will allow you to program when the lights go on and off.

In the spring, everyone wants to be outdoors, then indoors, then outdoors, then indoors again. With all of this traffic, it’s too easy to forget to fully close or lock the doors and windows. Make sure to double check the doors and windows to see that they are fully closed and locked. While you’re at it, if you don’t have one, get a heavy-duty dead bolt installed on your doors, particularly the front door. Believe it or not, this is the most common point of entry for a burglar.

While you are spring cleaning, take some time to create or update an inventory list of all of your major and valuable items. Make sure to take down any model or serial numbers, if possible, and a photo of each item would be helpful for both the police and your insurance company.

Lastly, this is a great time to evaluate your home security and consider either buying a home security system or having your present system upgraded. There are many systems out there with an array of features, so there is sure to be one to fit your home’s needs. Contact your local home security company and let them evaluate your home and make recommendations that would best protect you.

10 Things a Burglar Doesn’t Want You to Know

There is a litany of things a burglar would not want you to know when it comes to their profession. Burglars are generally not stupid, but they are opportunistic, so a little preventive common sense goes a long way to protecting your home and family.

Don’t make it too easy.

Many times a homeowner will not cover the second story when they install their alarm system, thinking that it’s too difficult, dangerous or inconvenient for a break-in artist to break in. And they are probably right, unless they leave a ladder readily available or have a privacy fence conveniently located. Then it becomes just a simple climb.

They often visit you under pretense.

It’s not uncommon for a professional burglar to do their homework prior to a job and knock on your door just to see if you’re home. If you answer the door, they’ll spin something to misdirect you. If you’re not home, well …

And, he may have already been in your home.

He may have done some work in your home, answered a classified ad to check out the sofa you’re trying to sell, or tried to sell you something at the door. However he did it, he checked out you, your home and your property.

Signs that no one is home

Don’t leave noticeable signs that you haven’t been home in a while. Yards not mowed, untrimmed shrubbery, newspapers piling up on the porch, a mailbox full of junk mail; all are tell-tales that this is an easy mark. Also, watch what you post on social media. Sometimes they will look through your posts to see if you’ll be away for a while.

Advertising

It’s a simple matter of wanting more bang for the buck, and the best way to make yourself a target is to leave discarded boxes and cartons outside near the curb that advertise that brand new 48-inch flat screen TV with surround sound anything else of value.

A safe is safe?

Safes are great places to protect your valuables, unless the safe can be tucked under an arm. They know that valuables are kept in safes, so if it can be picked up, they’ll take it with them and work on it later.

Don’t be obvious

Don’t put your valuables in those obvious places you think no one would look. Thieves know all about the sock and underwear drawer, the freezer and the closet. It’s the first place they look. They only have a short time to get what they came for, so hide your stuff in places that would take more time to sift or dig through.

This might not seem right, but …

In addition to the window over the kitchen sink, burglars also like the ones in the bathroom, particularly when unlocked or disabled. Should a service person or any stranger visiting your home ask to use your bathroom, you should politely decline. This may seem rude, but it’s best to take the safe road. If you don’t want to seem rude, at least check the bathroom window after they leave to make sure it hasn’t been unlocked or disabled. And, never leave your visitor unattended to roam the house.

Think your dog is better than an alarm?

The rule-of-thumb for a thief is “get in, get what you came for, and get out quick!” Like any other professional, they want to minimize risk to themselves; they don’t want to be caught or hurt. If you’ve left your Yorkie behind, don’t think that it will be much of a deterrent. Its bark is worse than its bite, and its bark is not all that. They yap all day and attract little attention. If you need a dog to guard your home, get a large dog with a menacing bark. They will at least cause some hesitation, if not downright fear.

Time, noise and light

Those are the three things a burglar truly hates. The longer it takes to do the job, the more noise to attract attention, and the more light to see someone sneaking around increases the chances of getting caught. Make sure to leave your home as if it is occupied. Leave a TV on, a few house lights, install motion sensor security lights; things like this will help deter the thief from choosing your home as his next target.

Home Security Systems: Types and Costs

While it might be a little daunting when it comes time to purchase a security system for your home, in reality it is not all that difficult when you understand the basics and decide what it is you want out of your security system.

Type of Home Security Alarm Systems

Home security systems can be broken down into two types: monitored and unmonitored. Unmonitored systems are the most affordable type of alarm. Commonly known as the burglar alarm, the purpose of this system is to literally scare off any intruder while alerting anyone within hearing distance to the break-in. This alarm system uses triggers such as door or window sensors, motion detectors, or even a simple panic button to activate the alarm.

Monitored systems are connected to a professional service that monitors your home every minute of the year and will take action when your alarm is tripped. In general, these services will contact you to ensure that the alarm is not false, and then alert the local police department. These services can also monitor for additional dangers such as fire, gas leak or flooding.

Both the monitored and unmonitored systems can be hard-wired to your home or set up as a wireless system, depending on the system you choose. Hard-wired systems require a physical connection between the control panel and each sensor, using the wiring inside your home to link the system’s parts together while using your land line to communicate with your monitoring service. The wireless system on the other hand, uses radio frequency transmitters to communicate between the central control panel and each device.

Cellular home security alarm systems are the most recent technology in security systems for the home. These systems send the alarm signal to the monitoring service through cellular phone towers. So now, when you are away from home, you can monitor your home and receive notifications through your cell phone.

An Internet-based home security system uses the web as the method of signal transmission. The control panel sends the alarm to the monitoring service via your Internet connection (DSL, broadband or cable). This also allows remote access from your laptop or tablet.

For add-ons, both monitored and unmonitored systems can be set up with cameras, motion detectors, sensors, smoke, fire and carbon monoxide detectors, keypads, video displays, panic buttons, glass break and stress sensors, and touch screen displays.

Expected Costs

Costs for security systems depend upon the equipment purchased, area to be covered, add-on features, the labor required for installation and the services associated, if any. According to the US News and World Report, “Most companies will offer installation specials as low as $99, but start-up costs for all the equipment could run between $600 to $1,200 says Robert Siciliano, a Boston-based personal security consultant and spokesperson for BestHomeSecurityCompanys.com, a home security review. After buying the security system equipment, you’ll have to pay for monthly monitoring, which can run from $15 to $100, but the average price is $30.”

Pros and Cons

Each type of system has its advantages and disadvantages in both cost and functionality.

The hard-wired home security alarm system is definitely the most affordable, but it has some definite disadvantages. As with anything electro-mechanical, this system is subject to break-down, power outage or deliberate tampering, and can be harder and more expensive to install.

The wireless system is easier to install and are great for those with big houses and areas. These systems are also considered a safer alternative since burglars cannot easily disable the system. They are also less costly than hard-wired systems as you save on equipment and installation. The cellular alarm system is easy to set up and has the additional security of being free from tampering and power outage. However, this system tends to be more expensive.

Internet-based security systems are also easy to set up, but still rely on power and an internet connection.

One of the best things about today’s home security systems is that they can be remotely accessed by your mobile device. Your system can be activated, adjusted and monitored from your tablet or phone. While a little more expensive, the convenience and increased security definitely make these worthwhile features.

When you do shop for a home security system, remember to consider all parameters. Take a look at your budget, coverage area, how often someone will be home, and what you want monitored; then search for a qualified and dependable security company to provide the equipment and service you and your family need to stay safe.