Neighborhood Blockwatch

     GENERAL OBJECTIVES

·          Neighbors getting to know each other

·          Removing the fear of not knowing your neighbors

·          Organize people for crime prevention

·          Increase awareness of existing crime

·          Report crime and suspected crime

·          Reduce incidences of crime

·          Be safer and feel safer in your neighborhood

 Why do a block watch? Remember the old neighborhood? Most of the neighbors had lifelong investments in their property and neighborhoods so they KNEW each other, HELPED each other and WATCHED out for each others property and families. There was a feeling of belonging and helpful involvement by neighbors supporting neighbors’ home security and welfare, but things have changed.

Changes in our lifestyles have, as a result, seen shorter term neighbors, and fewer long term neighbors. There are neighbors who are now strangers and whose level of trust is unknown. Some feel isolated and alienated from the neighbor ‘strangers’. So, by promoting involvement in a block watch enables you to get to know your neighborhood ‘strangers’, and by the common element of everyone wanting to feel safe, creates a bond between new and old neighbors.

 When people don’t to their neighbors, personal freedom may be surrendered to fear. Suspicions erupt between young and old, and friction develops between those of different cultures and races. Isolation becomes a way of life. Criminals feed on this type of social isolation. By forming or participating in a block watch, you can reduce your odds of being a victim of crime by increasing your awareness.

 If you are leaving use this as a guide as you check your home for safety. Boxes that you mark as 'no' need attention to improve your home's security. These are just some of the steps you can take to decrease the likelihood that your home is targeted.

  Encourage the development of ‘signals’ for use in adjacent homes when someone needs help. Block watches basically promotes residents to protect their neighborhoods by observing and then reporting crime,suspicious or unusual activity to the police. The non emergency number to the Maple Heights Police is 216-662-1234. When neighbors can get together and cooperate with the police, crime can be reduced and prevented.You may also want to start a ‘phone tree to alert other neighbors quickly about criminal activity in the area. So, get on out there, this is a great way to ‘break the ice’ and to know the names and phone numbers of your neighbors. You all have more in common than you think!

RECOGNIZING SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

When you OBSERVE a suspicious activity, be as inconspicuous as possible. DO NOT attempt to confront anybody. Try to IDENTIFY the facts about the crime, location, description of persons involved and description of the vehicle (if there is one). Once you need to REPORT the crime, state the type of crime and the location, report asmany facts as possible and if the crime is in progress, stay on the phone keeping them informed of the activity until the police arrive. You can state that you DO NOT want the police to come to your house.

 Always be alert. Anything that seems slightly out of place or is occurring at an unusual time of day could be criminal activity. 

DO NOT TRY TO APPREHEND A PERSON COMMITTING A CRIME OR TO INVESTIGATE A SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY.

•   Call the police non emergency number and do not be embarrassed if nothing is wrong. Follow your gut instincts, they are usually correct. The police would rather investigate a suspicious activity than be called when it’s too late. Suspicious activity includes an open door or broken window when you know your neighbor is not home; unusual noise such as gunshots, screaming or a dog barking continuously, sounds of breaking glass; a car circling the street and slowing down.  You could save a life, prevent an injury or stop a crime.

 SUSPICIOUS PERSONS

Sometimes criminals disguise themselves as repair people, or door-to-door sales, especially if they enter the rear yard. It is important to be alert to activities of non residents on your street. The police non emergency number should be called to investigate persons who may be suspects in these types of crimes:

Going door to door in a residential area, especially if one goes to the rear of the house or loiters in front; forcing entry to an unoccupied house, running, especially if carrying something that looks like it came from someone’s house, heavy traffic to and from one certain home (drug activity); loitering or looking into cars; persons offering to sell items for a very low price (could be stolen property) and driving through a neighborhood several times or appearing as a delivery person with a wrong address.

 SUSPICIOUS VEHICLES

These types of situations may be involved in crimes and should be reported: Slow moving cars without lights, parked or occupied cars at an unusual hour of the day, an abandoned car parked on the street (may be stolen), someone forcing someone into their car, and persons stealing things from the car (radio, wallet, catalytic converter).

 DESCRIBING AND REPORTING EVENTS

When describing events, write them down so you don’t forget:

WHAT happened, WHEN it happened,

WHERE it happened (house address, nearest cross section), are there INJURIES, and if WEAPONS were involved.

 DESCRIBING VEHICLES 

Try to get the license number, make and model and type of vehicle, color and any unusual markings or features-such as missing headlights, vinyl top, body Damage, bumper stickers, and the year of the car. Also note if the muffler was loud  and how many occupants were in the car.

 DESCRIBING PERSONS

It is important to try to write down the approximate age, sex, race, height (use your height as a measure), weight, hair color, facial hair, clothing, scars, and any particular or distinguishing mannerisms or physical disabilities, tone of voice and the direction they went.

 HOME SECURITY MEASURES

Burglary is probably the most popular crime. Through the block watch, education is the most important means to prevent burglaries. Upgrading locks, installing additional lighting and training family members to keep valuables secure and lock doors and windows when leaving home.  Remember, the key factor in most crimes is opportunity. If they can’t get at it, they can’t take it!

 Below are some suggestions for home safety measures that may deter burglary:

·          Use a timer or automatic light that turns on at dusk, especially if you are not at home. A bathroom is a good place to    leave the light on.

·          Set the timer for different times so there isn’t an obvious pattern.

·          Leave on a radio, preferably a talk show.

·          Always close and lock garage doors.

·          Secure all obvious points of entry to your home.

·          Install a peep hole in all entry doors so you can see who it outside without opening the door.

·          (a short chain between the door and the jamb is not a good substitute because it can be easily broken).

·          Lock the front door when working in the backyard.

·           Avoid door locks that can be manipulated by breaking glass or door panels to reach inside.

·          Windows that are visible from the street or neighbor’s houses or are in well lit areas are less susceptible to forced                  entry. Windows hidden from view must be securely protected.

·          Lock double hung windows by sliding a bolt or nail through a hole drilled at a downward angle in each top corner of the inside sash and partway through the outside sash.

      ·          Pretend you are the burglar-stand outside your home and plan how YOU would get in.

·          Lock up all ladders and tools that could be used to gain entry.

·          Keep all shrubs trimmed near your doors and windows so that no one could hide behind them. Light up all your entrances.

·          Your address should be clearly displayed, frontand back, so that neighbors can identify your house in an emergency and to help police and fire find your home.

·          Keep your yard well maintained to indicate an occupied house. Bring in your morning paper and empty your mailbox daily.

·          Keep extra keys out of site, most burglars know where to look if you are hiding one outside. Avoid displaying valuable    items near a window.

·          Never leave windows unlocked when you leave home.

·          Look out for your neighbors! Never tell a stranger you don’t trust that a neighbor lives alone, is not home, or is ill.

·          Never enter your home if you think you have been burglarized. Call the police immediately and wait at a neighbors      house until they come.

·          Install smoke detectors and change the batteries each season.

·          And, start a buddy system with your neighbors to let them know when you are gone for extended periods of time.

HOME SECURITY CHECKLIST

SAFE PRACTICES 

Do you keep a list of all valuable property?   

Do you have a list of the serial numbers of your cameras, TV, cell phones, video equipment, and similar items?   

Do you have a description of other valuable property that does not have a number? Perhaps you might want to photograph these items and keep them in a safe place.   

Have you told your family what to do if they discover a burglar breaking into the house?   

Have you told them not to enter, and if they do, NOT to touch anything until the police come?   

Are your trees and shrubs trimmed to eliminate hiding places?   

Do you have emergency phone numbers listed on your phone?     

Do you have extra lighting around the outside of your home?   

Can your address be seen easily from the street?   

Are all doors and windows locked at night and everytime you leave the house?   

Are ladders and tools that could be used to break in your house locked up?   

If you have glass panels in or near your doors, are they reinforced so that they cannot be shattered? 

Do your entry doors have a peephole?   

Do your exterior doors have a cylinder type dead bolt lock with at least a one inch throw and a beveled cylinder guard?   

Are all of your locks and door handles in good repair?   

Do you know everyone who has a key to your house?   

If you have sliding doors, do they have an extra locking device that locks both the door panels together or to the frame?   

Do you have good secure locks on garage windows and curtains on the windows?      

Are you as careful of basement and second floor windows as you are of those on the second floor? 

When you are away from home, do you have at least two light timers that have been set to turn the lights on and off in different sequences?   

Do you keep all your lawn equipment, bikes, tools in the garage and keep it closed and locked? 

SENIOR SAFETY

Although surveys consistently show that persons over the age of 65 are victims of crime far less likely than young people, many senior citizens are so worried about crime that they shut themselves up in their houses and rarely go out. Isolation behind closed doors, and not getting together with neighbors actually make it easier for criminals to work in the neighborhood.

You can reduce opportunities for criminals to strike by being careful, alert and a good neighbor. Help make your community a safer place to live and don’t let the fear of crime restrict your activities. Being alert to your surroundings, installing good locks and taking common sense precautions while inside and outside your home can reduce the opportunities of crime.

Seniors are more vulnerable to certain crimes such as purse snatching, mugging and fraud. Being one step ahead can discourage criminal activity.

PROTECT YOUR MONEY

·          Direct deposit your social security or pension check.

·          Avoid carrying large amounts of money.

·          Never put your purse or wallet on a counter in the store or in the basket of a cart.

·          Be careful of talkative strangers when the conversation turns to money and be aware of the con games.

·          Con artists defraud and cheat unsuspecting people each year and target seniors. They look to seniors as easy targets because they know they are on a fixed income and may be looking for a way to increase their income through investments or retirement properties. The con artists come up with phony energy conservation gimmicks, insurance rip offs, and other things that may be hard to resist because they promise quick money. Remember, check with the Better Business Bureau or the Senior Center before handing over any money!

NEVER listen to a ‘contractor’ who comes to your door that just happens to be in the neighborhood with some ‘extra’ materials to do a repair. Don’t sign anything until you get it checked out. Never be afraid to say “NO!” to high pressure sales. And don’t be afraid or embarrassed to ask a professional for help if you are not sure what to do.