Neighborhood Watch is a great start, but it's important to remember that no crime prevention measure is 100% effective. Good crime prevention relies on a 'layering' effect, which is to say that each measure you take to 'Crime Proof' your neighborhood means that there's a better chance the crooks won't victimize you!
Let's talk about the criminal mind for a moment. Many property crime offenders rely on committing crimes like Auto Theft, Burglary and ID Theft for their primary source of income. Many times, much of this income goes to support their drug habit. The last thing a criminal wants is to go to jail; it's like getting fired from their job! Most criminals will take advantage of targets that present a low probability of getting caught (unlocked door, no lighting, nobody watching, etc.). When a criminal encounters several different layers of 'Crime Proofing' while they're out looking for their next victim, they very well may decide that it's not worth the risk and move on to an easier target. Here are some simple things you can do to reduce the chances of crime occurring in your neighborhood:
Help pick up trash and clutter. A dirty neighborhood gives the impression that nobody cares about what goes on there. This includes abandoned or 'junk' cars left on the street or in yards. This is prohibited by Salem City Ordinances. Also, stolen vehicles are often abandoned in residential neighborhoods. Call (503)588-6471 to report abandoned vehicles.
Report graffiti as soon as you notice it. Graffiti, if left in place, will rapidly spread and multiply. Graffiti, like litter, also gives the impression that the neighborhood doesn't look after itself and may be an easy target for crime. You can report graffiti by calling the Salem Police Department Graffiti Hotline at (503)371-4264 or by going to the Graffiti Abatement Program site where you can file an online report.
Get involved and stay involved! By getting to know your neighbors you can build a crime fighting network where you can share information that can help identify problems before they get started. Neighborhood Watch is a great way to accomplish this, but even if you haven't started a Neighborhood Watch yet, it's still a great idea to contact with your neighbors.
Take advantage of programs already in place. There are many crime fighting programs that can help you fight crime in your neighborhood. Take, for example, Salem Police Department's C.A.T. program. This program helps prevent auto theft by allowing police officers to stop your vehicle between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. The Salem Police Department also offers free home security surveys. A police officer can come to your home or place of business and offer professional tips for preventing crime. Call (503)588-6499 to schedule a free survey.
Mark valuables for easy identification. Every year the police department seizes thousands of items of property. Many of these items are stolen. Unfortunately only a small percentage of these times are ever returned to their owners because we are unable to identify the actual owner. Operation I.D. is a program encouraging you to permanently engrave valuable items in order to facilitate their return to you in the event they are stolen. It is recommended that you mark your property with you driver's license number. This number is easy for law enforcement to track. It also reduces the chances your personal information (Social Security Number, etc...) will be used by a criminal who has stolen your valuables! We recommend you mark your property in the following way: ORXXXXXXXDL, substituting the XXXXXXX with your driver's license number. The OR...DL prevents criminals from adding numbers to either end to conceal your mark. Once your valuables are marked it's important to record the information in a safe place. The Salem Police Department offers a Valuable Property Record to help you record the information. We also offer free engravers for you to borrow. Come to the front counter of the Salem Police Department to borrow an engraver.
Use common sense! Many burglaries and auto thefts in the Salem area are committed by criminals utilizing unlocked doors. Be sure to lock your house when you are away as well as when you are home. Lock your cars whether they are on the street, in your driveway or in your garage. Turn on exterior lights at night. These are only a few things you can do to prevent crime around your house. Be creative!
Keep an eye out for 'Drug Houses' in your neighborhood. Some indicators of a drug house are frequent visitors that only stay for a short amount of time, drivers of vehicles staying in the car while passengers go inside, surveillance equipment, an unkempt yard or house, chemical smells or odd odors and obstructed windows or windows covered in tinfoil with bright light shining out from the cracks. None of these indicators in and of themselves are a sure sign that you have a drug house in your neighborhood, but they are good leads that could lead to getting a problem house out of your neighborhood after a police investigation. If you suspect a drug house in your neighborhood, call the Salem Police Department Drug House Hotline at (503)315-2566. Click here for more information about reporting drug activity.
Remember, none of these ideas will guarantee that you won't be a victim of crime, but every little measure you can take will be extra incentive for criminals to bypass you and your neighborhood. Good Luck!
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