The Good Neighbor

Watching out and helping out are key words in crime prevention, and they define neighborliness as well. Crime prevention practitioners should read these four steps for improving relationships in the community.

By Joselle Shea, NCPC Staff

Watching out and helping out is a key principle of crime prevention. But just how much do people know and trust their neighbors? How can crime prevention practitioners encourage the development of more neighborly relationships? How can crime prevention practitioners themselves develop better relationships with the public?

The National Crime Prevention Council commissioned a survey (PDF) of 1,400 parents of children in grades K–eight by the research firm JustKid, Inc., in July 2008. Among other topics, the survey asked parents about their relationships with, and trust of, their neighbors. The survey recommendations below will help crime prevention practitioners in all professions strengthen relationships among community members.

1. Plan events to help neighbors get to know each other.

   Only 64 percent of parents in urban areas reported that they knew their neighbors, and 63 percent said they would trust neighbors to help their children if their children were in need. These numbers are higher in suburban and rural communities (closer to 80 percent), but there is still room for improvement. Neighborhood block parties, beautification efforts, and safety fairs provide opportunities for neighbors to meet and build positive relationships with each other, and show children that they have a community safety net of caring adults who are willing to help them. Neighborhood events are also opportunities for residents to meet law enforcement officers and other professionals who provide services to the community.

2. Highlight community crime prevention efforts.

   Nearly one in five parents reported that they were more afraid to walk in their own neighborhoods than they were last year. This fear is significantly higher among parents in urban areas, with one in four being more afraid. Send consistent messages that local law enforcement and community partners are working to prevent crime and build safer communities. Highlight crime prevention efforts in the local media or through the fliers and newsletters of apartment buildings or condominium or homeowners’ associations.

3. Work with schools to reach parents.

   More than 90 percent of parents reported that they often or occasionally attend school activities and meet with their children’s teachers. Among African American and Hispanic parents, more than 80 percent said they believe it is important to meet with school administrators and nearly 70 percent said they believe it is important to join a parent–teacher group at school. Crime prevention practitioners should work with school administrators to schedule times to speak to parents. A short presentation at a back-to-school night, PTA meeting, school concert, or sporting event can raise awareness of what parents can do to keep their children safe. Practitioners can offer to conduct longer awareness sessions on topics such as bullying and drug abuse prevention at brown-bag lunches or evening seminars and introduce school resource officers and other safety personnel whenever possible. This is all the more important in light of the survey finding that only 23 percent of parents said they knew the name of the safety officer at their children’s school.

4. Continue to use McGruff in crime prevention efforts.

   McGruff the Crime Dog® and the “Take A Bite Out Of Crime®” slogan are known by a majority of parents, with 65 percent reporting that they had seen, read, or heard McGruff public service announcements on TV, the radio, or in the print media. Crime prevention practitioners should tell parents about NCPC’s website, where they can learn about cyberbullying, identity theft, and Internet Safety awareness campaigns. Teachers and community activists can use downloadable lesson plans featuring McGruff to teach children how to stay safe, or begin one of NCPC’s comprehensive programs, such as McGruff Club.