Tired of crime?
Neighborhood Watch is a program that has been implemented in many neighborhoods to prevent and reduce crime. The program is simple and involves neighborhood concerns and awareness, along with police cooperation.
The concept is:
- Be alert to things happening on your street and in your neighborhood.
- Watch for the unusual – if you suspect anything out of the ordinary, call the police at 614-645-4545 (the non-emergency phone number).
Remember the police need your eyes and ears to protect your neighborhood.
Be an involved neighbor
Your own neighbors are often your single best security device. Unfortunately, many people simply do not make an effort to get to know their neighbors. They are hesitant to report suspicious people or vehicles, fearing that they will be regarded as “snoopy.” You need not be close friends with your neighbors in order to look out for their interests.
Neighborhoods in which people are truly concerned about each other and their mutual safely have extremely low burglary rates. You can begin to build a neighborhood security system by becoming better acquainted with your neighbor’s everyday living patterns. By knowing when they are at work, on vacation, and so forth, you will be better able to judge whether a stranger should legitimately be at the neighbor’s home.
What is suspicious activity?
- A stranger entering your neighbor’s house when it is unoccupied.
- Anyone removing car accessories, license plates, gasoline, etc.
- Anyone peering into parked cars or homes.
- Apparent business transactions conducted from a vehicle.
- Anyone loitering around.
- Any vehicle moving slowly and without lights.
- Vehicles containing one or more persons parked at unusual hours.
- Vehicles being loaded with valuables in front of unoccupied houses.
Report all unusual circumstances:
- Be alert to unfamiliar faces and activities.
- Report anything which might indicate criminal activity. IF IN DOUBT, call the police.
- Police will want to know what happened? When? Where? Is anyone injured? Vehicle license plate number? Vehicle description? Direction of flight/travel? Description of persons and their clothing?
Use common sense, of course, but don’t be afraid of turning in a false alarm. Innocent activity will be regarded as such upon police investigation. Innocent citizens approached by the police as a result of your call will realize that our concern is for their own well being.
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