Neighborhood Watch

Don't let your guard down just because we live in one of the safest neighborhoods in the area. Vandals do more than break mailboxes, they can steal your property and destroy your valuables. Watch for suspicious characters and strangers roaming our neighborhood. Invest some time and money in prevention now. What's the payoff? Better security around your property, less worry about crime and your family's safety.

Be a good neighbor - when you're out and about, keep an eye on neighbors' homes and property. Tell them and the police about anything that makes you uneasy or suspicious.

**Check the doors and locks**:
Make sure outside doors - in your home and outbuildings - are solid wood or metal and have dead bolt locks.
Use the locks !
Secure sliding glass doors with commercially available locks or with a broomstick or wooden dowel in the track to jam the door in case someone tries to pry it open.
Insert screws in the upper track going into the fixed frame, to prevent anyone from lifting the door from its track.
Secure double-hung windows by sliding bolt or nail through a hole drilled at a downward angle in each top corner of the inside sash and part way through the outside sash.

**Check the outside:**
Thieves hate bright lights. Install outside lights and keep them on at night. Be sure the lights are not shining in your neighbors windows.
Keep your house, driveway, and other buildings well lighted at night. Use timers that automatically turn on outside lights when it gets dark.
Consider motion sensors that set off lights or alarms.
Prune back shrubbery that hides doors, windows, lights, and would be burglars.
Warn thieves that you're on the alert with "Neighborhood Watch" and your security company signs around your property.
Operation Identification - marking tools, guns, and equipment with a permanent identification number such as driver's license or Social Security - has helped reduce theft. Work with law enforcement to determine the best method.

**Protect valuables & equipment:**
Keep small equipment; like mowers, bikes, etc, locked in a garage.
Keep guns locked and unloaded in a secure place away from curious children and would be thieves.
Never leave keys in vehicles.
Always lock your trucks and other vehicles when they're not in use. And don't leave tools in the open back of a pickup truck or in an unsecured truck bed toolbox.

**Help your neighbors:**
Get together with others in the area to support your Neighborhood Watch group. Involve all ages, and work with law enforcement. Recruit from churches and civic groups. Use cellular phones to patrol and report suspicious activities to the police.
When you go away, stop delivery of your mail and newspapers or ask a neighbor to pick them up. You want to create the illusion that someone's at home and following everyday routines. Have neighbors check your property, and return the favor when they leave on business or vacation trips.