Making it tough for the Burlgar

§         Arranging for home security inspections by crime prevention officers to identify security vulnerabilities;

§         Upgrading locks, security hardware, and lighting; and installing alarms when security inspections show particular hazard;

§         Training family members to keep valuables secure and to lock doors and windows when leaving home; it is a good practice to keep doors lock when anyone is at home or not;

§         Asking neighbors to watch for suspicious activity when the house is vacant;

§         Marking valuable property with an identifying number (Operation I.D.) to discourage theft and help law enforcement agencies identify and return lost or stolen property;

§         Encouraging home builders to use effective door and window locks and to provide outside lighting for all new home and apartment construction;

§         Organizing block parent and block WATCH groups to assist children, the elderly, and other especially vulnerable persons if they appear to be distressed, in danger, or lost;

§         Meeting in neighborhood groups with trained crime prevention officers to discuss needs and crime prevention strategies;

§         Developing neighborhood “fan” or telephone tree systems for quickly alerting each other about criminal activity in the area;

§         Encouraging the development of signals for use in adjacent residences when someone needs help;

§         Arranging for ongoing programs where crime prevention experts can present home and neighborhood security tips at regularly scheduled meetings.

§         Obtaining and studying informative materials from the National Sheriffs’ Association, the National Crime Prevention Council and local agencies;

§         Identifying the area’s participation with decals and metal road signs warning, “NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH – our neighbors are watching to report suspicious activity to our law enforcement agency.”