When most people move into a brand new neighborhood, they inquire about its level of safety. There’s fantastic new tools for people to help inquire about, address, and analyze neighborhood based security issues in their area. One of these tools is the SpotCrime Crime Map, which aggregates all local crimes reported in any given area. Crimes are shown through icons positioned on the map – and the icons expand when clicked to show the type of crime committed, as well as its date and time.
One reason that you might want to track the kinds of crime committed in your area, as well as their frequency, is so that you can stay prepared and take the necessary steps to prevent becoming a victim of these crimes. SpotCrime allows you to do so by having alerts sent to your email or social media platform, so you will get instant alerts if a crime is committed in the vicinity of your home.
Neighbors
Make sure to meet your neighbors. Many areas have block parties, yard sales, a communal block watch patrol, or other such events and groups. Having a sense of community in your area helps prevent crime even more so than police much of the time, because community members look out for one another. Even something as benign as a communal sports game can helps strengthen these community bonds. Your neighbors are the ones who will keep tabs on your home when you’re away – and they can notify you if they witness any suspicious activity going on by your home after you leave on vacation.
Beautification
Having your area regularly maintained can help deter thieves from feeling like they can strike there. Broken windows and graffiti send the unconscious message to people that there’s a lax aspect of neighborhood solidarity, and that the area is more vulnerable to crime. Of course, not everyone has the physical means to keep their property looking pristine – so it’s important to help your neighbors to sp; it’s not only the right thing to do, but it promotes a sense of community that can help protect you as well.
Support Local Businesses and Institutions
Empty storefronts and abandoned businesses also contribute to crime. By supporting local businesses, you can keep a sense of healthy community alive in your area. Empty storefronts lead to vandalism, which can in turn lead to more extreme and harsh kinds of crime – while also depreciating the property value of your area.
Keep Watch and Protect your Neighbors
Be a good neighbor. If you see anything that looks strange or suspicious, notify your neighbors. You can look out for eachother. It’s possible that your neighbors aren’t even aware that their windows are broken or have had a break-in – and looking out for those in your community goes a long way to exponentially increase the level of security in your neighborhood.
