October Is Crime Prevention Month

This is the time of year when individuals, neighborhoods, and groups of all kinds celebrate crime prevention. There’s still time to organize an event in your community.

By Kelsey Tokar, NCPC Staff

Crime Prevention Month has finally arrived. Across the nation, individuals, neighborhoods, and organizations will be celebrating crime prevention all month long. If you or your neighborhood hasn’t been involved with crime prevention, now is the time to get started. And if you’ve been active in crime prevention, this is the time to show your stuff and attract new members. No event is too big or too small, so there’s no reason not to participate.

Crime Prevention Month is being kicked off with Celebrate Safe Communities (CSC). From October 1-3, communities throughout the country will be hosting their own local events and activities. CSC partners communities with their local law enforcement or other safety officials to host a safety event unique to their community. To check out what other communities are doing to help promote safety, or to download tips on how to get your neighborhood involved in crime prevention, visit the Celebrate Safe Communities website.

Although Crime Prevention Month has already started, it’s never too late to get involved. If you don’t have the time to host a large-scale event, posting safety tips to your website or browsing through NCPC’s website for the latest safety news are two great ways to get involved. Other ways include organizing a picnic and inviting a member of your local law enforcement agency to attend and answer safety questions or arranging a tour of the local fire house. If you would prefer to get even more involved, planning a community-wide safety event, perhaps even a take-back- the-streets march or a graffiti paintout are engaging and fun ways to get your entire neighborhood involved in crime prevention. Check out NCPC’s website for tips on how to plan your own safety event. However you choose to get involved in Crime Prevention Month, always remember that what you’re doing helps to keep your neighborhood safe. After all, crime prevention is everyone’s business!