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Vandalism and crime in our communities are on the rise. However, there is something we can do about it. By installing home monitoring systems or starting a neighborhood watch, we protect ourselves as well as neighborhoods from violation.

How can you start a neighborhood watch? Send a flier around the neighborhood expressing your desire to start a neighborhood watch. You may also want to call or visit your neighbors. Set up a meeting at your home or a clubhouse for the neighbors to sit and discuss the matters. At first, there may be a small amount of participants. That is enough to start a watch.

Contact the police department. They may send an officer that will help you organize a watch as well as tell you what to do in the event that suspicious activity occurs. The officer may also identify if your neighborhood has a potential problem or not.

Set up who is going to patrol the area and when. On weekends, you may need additional help.

Now that you have setup who is going to watch your neighborhood and when, here is what to watch for:

„« Look and see if a stranger is in the driveway of a neighbor's home that is not there. Inform your neighbors if you have visitors. That way your friends and family won't be harassed if they are visiting.

„« Look and see if anyone is hanging around people's cars.

„« Look and see if people are hanging around any area of your neighborhood.

„« Look and see if someone is running with merchandise in his or her hands.

„« Listen for screams and yelling.

„« Take notes, write down any activity that you feel is not normal. If you see suspicious activity in front of a neighbors house. Tell the neighbor.

Start a newsletter for your neighborhood watch. Share local crime statistics as well as ways to prevent crime. Welcome your new neighbors to the neighborhood. You may also find it helpful to post signs that your neighborhood is being watched to deter crime.

Source: http://www.essortment.com/all/neighborhoodwat_ruap.htm