Hardening the Target - - What Neighborhood Watch is All About

Whether you realize it or not, you are already the target for criminals!  Most burglars, thieves and con men know about your neighborhood, who lives there, what kinds of valuables they have and who is home and who is not at any given hour of the day.

  The criminal element in our community “case” our neighborhoods regularly, on foot, on bikes, in cars or when disguised as a magazine salesman,  a stranded motorist or other type of solicitor.  What are they looking for?  Anything of value they can steal and sell off for the cash…YOU, YOUR HOME OR YOUR CAR ARE THE TARGET!

  According to Law Enforcement, there are a number of simple steps you can take to “harden” yourself as a target.  What does that mean?  It means making it more difficult for the criminals to victimize you.

The City of Merced’s Neighborhood Watch program teaches residents  the Four “L’s”…  Lights, Locks, Landscaping and Linking-up.

1.  Lights - - Criminals are like cock roaches…turn on the lights and they run for cover.  You should keep your property well lit at night.  With motion sensor lights, the cost of operating night lights is pennies per day which could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars if it prevents a burglar from breaking in and stealing your property.  A well lit house at night also helps your neighbors and police see if suspicious activity is happening around your property.

  2.  Locks - - Keep your doors and windows locked!  You can purchase locks for windows that allow them to be opened part way for ventilation, but won’t allow anyone to crawl in.   Keep your car locked and your garage locked.  Never keep valuables in your car.  If criminals can see something interesting in your car, they will help themselves….at your expense!

  3.  Landscaping - - Check out the shrubbery around your house.  You should keep branches cut at least 12 inches above the ground.  Why?  If a criminal wants to hide their feet or lower body are easily visible to the Police or your neighbors.  You might also consider planting thorny varieties of plants near windows to help maintain privacy!

  4.  Linking-up - - A safe neighborhood includes people who know each other, and meet periodically with Law Enforcement to discuss issues of concern and learn about crime prevention in the community.  Neighbors learn to spot suspicious activity and REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY TO THE POLICE.

Neighborhood Watch is the perfect program to help keep you and your  neighborhood safe!

For more information call:  The Merced Community Action Network  385-8807