In the early ‘70s, communities across the country formed neighborhood watch groups in response to home invasions and vandalism in neighborhoods. Often these groups began via the impetus of local law enforcement who partnered with citizens to keep communities safer. Later as home-based methamphetamine labs began to proliferate, these neighborhood watch groups often assisted law enforcement by identifying homes with a lot of late-night traffic, hundreds of prescription boxes in trash bins, and the ‘weird smell’ that often emanated from these labs. Neighborhood watch groups proved to be a tremendous assist in keeping neighborhoods safe. However, like many good ventures and time, neighborhood watch groups seemed to fade away.
Scams
The New Year is a time when we often sit down and give thought to things that would improve our personal lives and our neighborhoods. I would like to propose that you take the initiative to enact a safety plan, at least with your immediate neighbors. Home invasions are still occurring in great numbers; ID thieves are still active in stealing mail from curbside mailboxes; and cars are being broken into as they sit in our driveways. With the proliferation of online shopping and home delivery of consumer purchases, including groceries, an uptick in ‘porch pirating,’ or stealing deliveries off a front porch, may have become the number one threat to communities.
Here’s an idea you are welcome to “steal.” With the four neighbors who live adjacent to my home, we all agreed to buy and install a Ring home porch camera system (there are many systems and companies who provide this service). I know this involves a cost and the necessity of WiFi, but many times, in today’s world we will need to incur a cost to guarantee safety.
Article courtesy of Cary Johnson with Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office