Home and Neighborhood Safety

In these times of economic distress, many people are concerned about the threat of rising crime in their communities. Fortunately, there are ways to help protect your home and your neighborhood from crime. From simple steps like keeping your doors locked to starting a Neighborhood Watch program, there are plenty of things you can do to prevent crime.

Work with your neighbors to keep your neighborhood clean and orderly. Keep spare keys with a trusted neighbor or nearby shopkeeper, not under a doormat or planter, on a ledge, or in the mailbox. Set timers on lights when you're away from home or your business is closed, so they appear to be occupied. Illuminate or eliminate places an intruder might hide: the spaces between trees or shrubs, stairwells, alleys, hallways, and entry ways. With many law enforcement agencies cutting costs, it has never been more important for citizens to work together to prevent crime.

Information about Home and Neighborhood Safety

Neighborhood Safety Tips For Parents
Advice for parents on keeping your kids safe in your neighborhood

Neighborhood Watch
Tips and information on starting and running a Neighborhood Watch program

Strategies
Techniques people can use to reduce crime in their communities

Gas Station Theft Prevention
Tips and posters for preventing crime in gas stations

Training on Home and Neighborhood Safety

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design Training Program
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) theories contend that law enforcement officers, architects, city planners, landscape and interior designers, and resident volunteers can create a climate of safety in a community right from the start.

Publications and Products on Home and Neighborhood Safety

Positive Change Through Policy
This online guide features examples of policies that create safer communities

Helping Communities Mobilize Against Crime, Drugs, and Other Problems
Twenty-one lessons drawn from the experiences of dozens of communities suggest strategies for success, identify vital elements for starting and maintaining community mobilization efforts, and look at surmounting common obstacles.

Locking Your Home
Times have changed, and locks have changed, but burglars still look for homes that are easy targets.

Neighborhood Watch Needs You
This publication discusses reasons to get involved, the kinds of activities Watch groups do, and how they can help a neighborhood strengthen hometown and homeland security activities.

Programs on Home and Neighborhood Safety

Celebrate Safe Communities
Celebrate crime prevention and local communities making a difference

Downloadable Resources on Home and Neighborhood Safety