SENIOR CITIZEN SAFETY
As an older citizen you feel especially worried about crime. But the truth is older folks are victims of crime less often than younger people. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t learn how to take care of yourself.
Although surveys consistently show that persons over 65 are victims of crime far less than young people, many senior citizens are so worried about crime that they shut themselves up in their homes and rarely go out. But isolating ourselves behind locked doors, not getting together with our neighbors, actually makes it easier for criminals to work in the neighborhood.
You can reduce opportunities for criminals to strike by being careful, alert and a good neighbor. Help make your community a safer place to live and don’t let fear of crime restrict your activities. Being alert to your surroundings, installing good locks on doors and windows, and taking common-sense precautions while inside and outside your home can reduce opportunities for crime.
Work with your local law enforcement agency to start up a block club and encourage your neighbors to join. Always remember in case of an emergency, dial 911.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH
Something may be wrong in your neighborhood. There’s too much violence, or there’s an ever-present threat. Perhaps a child you know was robbed. Maybe you’ve seen signs of drug dealing. Maybe a string of break-ins has you wondering what’s coming next. Perhaps nothing violent has happened, but you see warning signs – such as graffiti, vandalism, abandoned cars, loitering, litter, continuous traffic violators – that crime and violence may be reaching your neighborhood.
You can change things by getting together with neighbors who share your concerns. Community crime prevention is citizens joining with law enforcement to be responsible for the safety of their neighborhoods, homes and places of employment. One out of six Americans lives in a community that has an organized volunteer anti-crime program.
“Neighborhood Watch”, with ten million participants, is the best-known community crime prevention project. However every crime prevention program needs the commitment and involvement of all residents that are concerned about their community. Contact your local law enforcement agency and see if they have a ” Neighborhood Watch ” in place.
