The concept of neighborhood watch programs was installed into the American vernacular in 1972 with the help of the National Sherriff’s Association. At the heart of this program is the belief that concerned citizens, working cooperatively with law enforcement, can have a positive effect on the community.

Neighborhood watch programs are based on this concept of cooperation, and statistics from across the country prove that it works. Law enforcement officials have recorded a decrease in crime, specifically burglary, in communities with active neighborhood watch programs. The organization USA on Watch claims that neighborhood watch programs are now the most successful anti-crime initiative in the country and the most effective and least expensive tool for restoring the safe, pleasant environment we all want for our families.

Some of the ways in which neighborhood watch programs make this happen are the following:

• Arranging for home security inspections by local police officers to help residents determine their areas of vulnerability.

• Training citizens about good practices like securing valuables, locking doors and windows, etc.

• Asking neighbors to watch for suspicious activity when the house is vacant.

• Encouraging home builders to use higher quality door and window locks and to provide outside lighting for all new construction.

• Meeting in neighborhood groups with trained crime prevention officers to discuss needs and crime prevention strategies.

• Developing neighborhood telephone tree systems for quickly alerting each other about criminal activity in the area.

• Using a neighborhood watch sign (or signs) to deter criminals from entering the area.

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

When using the phrase neighborhood watch, some people think of the national program we’ve been discussing here, with the tell-tale neighborhood watch sign (or signs) we all recognize. Other people use the phrase neighborhood watch to cover a variety of community-based crime prevention organizations. Crime Stoppers, Citizen Corps and the National Block Parenting Program are other forms of community safety organizations you and your community may wish to consider.

Crime Stoppers is an international program whose purpose is to involve citizens in the reduction of crime throughout neighborhoods and schools. Crime Stoppers offers rewards of up to $1,000 for tips leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives. They offer a secure website and secure phone lines for anyone wishing to leave their tip anonymously.

Citizen Corps is a group of community volunteers that work with our nation’s government not only to battle crime, but also to teach residents about other security issues and emergency preparedness. Citizen Corps actually partners with local neighborhood watch programs on a variety of events.

The National Block Parenting program is a U.S. version of the Canadian Block Parenting program. The goal of the National Block Parenting program is clear: to give children the security of knowing they have adults they can turn to in an emergency. Block parents are adults who are willing and able to assist children in their time of need, whether they are running from abuse, a predator, or simply cannot gain access into their home. Block parent homes use stickers, much like the neighborhood watch sign (or signs), that are visible from the front of the home so children know whom they can trust.

Ever since the real estate boom began, around the 1980s, there has been a building and buying trend toward gated communities. Instead of locking criminals within bars, people are willingly placing themselves behind a new set of bars, hoping to keep the criminals out. The proponents of the gated community trend say they are a safe haven for homeowners, while detractors suggest the alleged security benefits do not measure up to the price tag. So, which is it?

In truth, a gated community is likely to have a lower crime rate than a nearby, non-gated neighborhood. But, all gated communities are not created equal. Those with a uniformed guard monitoring the entrance to the community are safer than counterparts with a simple buzzer system. The presence of a guard is a very real deterrent, enough of one that most criminals will certainly favor a location without the hassle. A typical guard-monitored community has one gate for residents that requires a code or special card for entry, and then a separate gate for all guests. This system does work to provide greater security, which for some, is enough to warrant the extra cost that comes with it.

A gated community without a guard could still prove to be a nuisance for criminals, but one they may be more than willing to endure. For every person who thinks of the word safe when they hear of a gated community, there is another person that thinks of the word wealthy. A patient criminal may be all too willing to wait for an opportunity to sneak his way into a gated community for a chance at the wealth he believes to be inside. And we’ve all seen how easy it is for someone to slip in through an open gate on the heels of a resident’s car.

Bottom-line: Whether you live in a gated community or not, there is no solution that will offer 100 percent protection. If residents within a gated community take security lightly, any benefits will be quickly erased. Gated communities can provide some additional security, but there are plenty of safety measures a homeowner can take on his or her own to generate additional security as well. In the end, it boils down to a matter of preference and budget.

Beyond traffic tickets and neighborhood watch programs, how much do you know about your community police department? Did you know that most police departments now have Web pages offering a slew of important information like home safety tips, listings of recent crime activity, and child-friendly advice on topics like bullying or strangers? Here are some surprising and not-so-surprising things you might expect from your friendly neighborhood police department:

Neighborhood Watch or Block Watch Programs: Neighbors and police officers work together to help lower crime through a neighborhood watch program. During an initial series of meetings, residents learn how to become the extended eyes and ears of the police department, including how to report suspicious or unusual activity and where to forward that information. Participants of a neighborhood watch also learn the best techniques for securing their homes and property, along with tips on personal safety from a member of the police department.

House Watch: A local police department often offers a house watch program for people who will be away for an extended period time. All you have to do is give the dates of your departure and arrival. A police officer will come to your home daily and check the premises for any signs of entry—a great service for frequent travelers.

D.A.R.E or M.A.D.D.: Most police departments work with community programs like Mothers Against Drunk Driving (M.A.D.D.) and Drug Abuse Resistance Education (D.A.R.E.) to curtail important neighborhood issues like drug and alcohol abuse. Uniformed police officers offer talks and workshops discussing the dangers of drugs and driving under the influence by using moving stories and firsthand knowledge. Look for flyers in places like schools and community recreation centers to find out about meetings in your area.

Youth Programs: Any police department is well known for working with children in the community. From fingerprinting kits to tours of the community jail, a local police department offers different youth-centered programs throughout the year. Families with very small children should be on the lookout for special car seat inspection events, or call your local police department to see if you can bring your car in for a quick inspection. Another great resource is your local K-9 units. Children respond to animals, so K-9 units are usually available to visit schools or scouting troops for a fun and educational talk.

Along with these opportunities, a neighborhood police department is always willing to work with its community to help stop all types of crime. From theft to speeding to vandalism, if there is a problem in your neighborhood, the police department should be your first resource.

Emergency sirens are used to warn communities of severe weather and other impending dangers.  They are the best means available when attempting to alert the general public in a timely manner.  Whether you are outside, in your car, or simply away from a television or radio, the sound of your local emergency siren may be the only way for a warning to reach you.

Typical emergency warning sirens can emit up to three different alarm signals. Most often, the sound used is called an ‘alert,’ which is the steady siren sound you hear when there is a weather-related emergency approaching your area. In case of a military situation, emergency sirens will produce a wailing sound called the ‘attack’ alarm. And a warbling sound, much like the hi-lo alarm on a fire engine, is the third possible rendition. More advanced sirens can also send out broadcast messages with specific instructions for residents to follow. At 135 decibels, these sirens can cover a wide radius.

With so many emergency situations occurring during sleeping hours, warning sirens are often the only way to notify communities of potential dangers. Here are examples of some of the hazards emergency sirens can reveal:

• Severe Thunderstorm
• Tornado
• Hurricane
• Tsunami
• Wild Fire Activity
• Volcanic Eruption
• Military Attack
• Hazardous Material Release/Spill

Unfortunately, studies show that many people do not take the warnings seriously and others are not certain about what they should do when they hear such an alarm. Some people even go outside (the last thing you should do) to see what is going on, while others simply ignore emergency sirens altogether. The following are basic guidelines detailing what to do next time you hear your neighborhood’s emergency warning sirens.

• In a typical weather-related emergency, your first course of action if you hear emergency sirens is to close and lock all doors and windows. Then find the safest place in your home, a basement, an interior room, or the bathtub. (Hopefully you have already prepared for such an event and have some basic supplies and an emergency radio available to you while you wait out the danger.)

• In the case of a hazardous material situation, you should follow similar guidelines as above, but also shut down the ventilation system in your home. An emergency radio can alert you to when the situation has passed, or if the matter has worsened and you need to evacuate.
• Wild fires, volcanic activity, and coastal hurricanes often require residents to evacuate.  Once the emergency sirens have sounded their alerts, you may not have a lot of time to gather your belongings. Therefore, it is best to have a predetermined evacuation plan that should include the following:

• Plan to follow your city’s evacuation route. Do not take short-cuts, in case roads have been blocked off.
• Have a predetermined place to evacuate, such as an out of town friend’s house or a local shelter.
• Keep a full tank of gas in your car.
• Make sure someone outside of town knows where you are going.
• If time allows, unplug most appliances (you may want to keep refrigerator plugged in) and secure the house before leaving.
• If time allows, gather personal paperwork.
• Leave early enough to avoid long traffic delays.

Without a doubt, emergency sirens can be a lifesaver. But, their success is based on people being responsible and taking shelter or packing up once that first warning blast hits their ears. If you live in an area with frequent warnings, like the part of our country known as tornado alley for example, you may have to endure several alarms every year. Just remember, when it comes to your life, it really is better to be safe than sorry.