Neighborhood alert is a program where neighbors look out for each other. Members of the community are trained to recognize and report suspicious activities to local law enforcement. The program also teaches participants how to deter criminal behavior by keeping homes and businesses well-lit at night, trimming bushes, and locking doors and windows.
In addition to the program’s educational component, residents are encouraged to get to know their neighbors. People who know each other will be able to tell whether strangers in unfamiliar vehicles are acting suspiciously or just visiting at an unusual time of day. It is also important to learn what behaviors are normal in a block or neighborhood, so that it is easier to identify strangers who are not.
To share information quickly, many neighborhoods use a phone tree system. This is an easy way to reach a large group of neighbors and can be done in a matter of minutes. Ideally, the phone tree should be organized by block, natural groups of acquaintances, or some other method that makes sense in your neighborhood. A leader, co-leader, or section leaders should be identified so that anyone with something to report knows who to call.
Some neighborhoods also use a safety app, which is an excellent way to keep up with real-time security alerts and communicate directly with police agencies. This type of app is often used by gated communities, HOAs, and apartment complexes.
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