By Jim Blanks

Most of us feel that we are protected inside our own homes; that we are not at risk of home invasion because we are careful; that we are taking all the necessary steps. We lock our doors when we leave the house, we use discretion when opening the door to strangers, we are wary of suspicious activity. If we do all of these things, we should be safe, right?

A crucial part of preventing crime is looking out for people around you, according to Angie de Alba, Crime Prevention Coordinator with the Visalia Police Department. When you know your neighbors, you give yourself a much greater chance of recognizing suspicious activity. So ask yourself: How well do I know my neighbors?

Know Thy Neighbors

I know the names of my next-door neighbors. I know that the man across the street from me owns a blue van. I exchange half-waves with people further down the block. But do I really know who they are? When a dark figure crosses the street at night, is that a neighbor out for a late-night walk, or is it a prowler?

These questions point to why it is vital to get to know your neighbors, de Alba says. And the best way to get to know your neighbors, and prevent crime: A Neighborhood Watch program.

Neighborhood Watch is a national program that connects law enforcement agencies and local organizations with citizens in an effort to reduce residential crime. Since its creation, Neighborhood Watch has grown to include thousands of programs in communities across the country.

“Neighborhood Watch creates a sense of community,” de Alba says. “It promotes concern for the safety and well-being of not only your home and family but for the community.”

And when there is a greater sense of community, neighbors are more willing to report suspicious activity to the police. They are more informed about who belongs in the neighborhood and who doesn’t.

Any community member can create a Neighborhood Watch Program. De Alba suggests forming a small planning committee in your neighborhood and contacting your local law enforcement agency. A crime prevention officer will attend your meeting and will assess the neighborhood’s problems and needs. The officer will also instruct you on ways to secure your home more effectively.

“Neighborhood Watch unites people, while familiarizing them with who lives where,” de Alba says. “It is difficult to report unusual or suspicious activities until you first know what the norm for your neighborhood is.”

Organizing a Neighborhood Watch program is not too difficult, de Alba says. All it takes is some assertiveness: Call neighbors or stop by their house and learn their names; set up a convenient time for neighbors to meet and form a Neighborhood Watch group; communicate with local law enforcement for important strategies and information; and set up Neighborhood Watch signs and decals on your block.

“We recommend a Neighborhood Watch group plan to meet every two to three months, more frequent if necessary,” de Alba says. “Subsequent meetings are for the purpose of staying connected and not losing interest in the program.” De Alba suggests inviting crime prevention officers to the meetings to provide updates and news of upcoming activities.

Some groups take further steps, setting up activities with their Neighborhood Watch program. This gives neighbors a chance to take interest and pride in their community, and it gives people the chance to meet and socialize. Activities include cleaning the neighborhood, barbecues, potlucks, block yard sales, and block parties.

Once you have set up a Neighborhood Watch program, maintaining it is the easy part. De Alba says community members just have to follow the Neighborhood Watch motto:

“We look out for each other.”

If you see people looking in car or house windows, if you hear screaming or shouting for help, if cars troll the neighborhood without their lights on or if strangers run through private yards or alleyways, report it immediately.

Studies have shown that just the act of maintaining a Neighborhood Watch program is enough to deter crime, de Alba says.

“Stats taken before and after a Neighborhood Watch program is implemented demonstrate an increased concern and willingness to call in suspicious and unusual situations, thus preventing crime before it happens,” de Alba said.

National Night Out

If you are unsure about starting your own Neighborhood Watch program or are unsure about how it might work, consider participating in this year’s National Night Out, an annual event that de Alba says “strengthens neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.”

National Night Out is another way for community members to get to know each other and their local law enforcement officers. In its 26^th year, National Night Out is a national event that in 2008 involved 37 million people in every state. In past years the event has included activities such as block parties, cookouts, and front porch vigils. Although plans for this year’s event in Visalia have not yet been finalized, de Alba looks forward to a strong turnout.

“Last year, we had thirty-three participating block parties,” she says. These are thirty-three neighborhoods that are getting to know each other, learning to keep their block safe, and are doing their part to prevent residential crime.

National Night Out improves upon the work done by Neighborhood Watch programs. The event heightens crime and drug prevention awareness and generates support for local anti-crime efforts.

Most importantly, de Alba says, National Night Out “sends a message to criminals that neighborhoods are organized and are fighting back.”

When you think about it, setting up a Neighborhood Watch program or participating in National Night Out is a simple task with great rewards. I considered my own situation; what has stopped me from seeking out my neighbors, from introducing myself to those around me? Is it time? Is it lack of motivation?

Is preventing crime a strong enough motivating factor? It is for me. These are our neighborhoods; these people around me should not be strangers. I’ve lived here for years and all I can say is the man across the street owns a blue van. It’s time to change that. It’s time to take pride in our communities and really protect ourselves. It’s time to look out for each other.

Infobox:

National Night Out 2009 is Tuesday, August 4.

Sidebar:

Wide Open in the Dark

Visalia Police Department Crime Prevention Coordinator Angie de Alba says the two most overlooked parts of home safety are “leaving garage doors open and unattended and having insufficient lighting around the house.”

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