Crimes can happen anywhere at any time. In fact, the FBI revealed that a burglar strikes every 25.7 seconds in the United States, amounting to nearly 3,300 burglaries every day – with experts estimating that every break-in can cost a homeowner up to $3,000 in loss and damages.
This is a contributed post and does not necessarily reflect the opinions of Meet The Harris Family.
Although these figures don’t guarantee you’re going to be a victim of a crime, as a homeowner, keeping your home and family safe should always be your priority. When your community bands together, you can become stronger individually and as a group.
Safety and security are among the first things homeowners or tenants ask about when they look at different condos for sale or rent. They ask about guards, how secure the entrance and exits are, as well as surveillance cameras on all the floors of the building. Meeting these concerns makes it easier for a buyer to decide to buy a unit or move in immediately.
Condo communities and villages alike can band together and work on these six ways to boost safety and security in their area.
Invest in Extra Security Measures
The most efficient way to boost your community’s safety is by adding extra security measures around the area. Whether it’s installing security cameras around common areas around your neighborhood or hiring security guards – these can significantly deter intruders and keep crime at bay.
Create a Facebook Group or WhatsApp Group Chat
One of the fastest and most convenient ways to get information and updates from your neighbors is by creating social media groups like a private Facebook group. With this network’s popularity, you can guarantee that a member of all households will have access to it. You can also start a ‘WhatsApp’ group chat for a more intimate way of communicating.
Warn Neighbors About Suspicious Activities
One of the simplest things you can do to keep your community safe is reporting any suspicious person or activity to the police. If something looks ‘off’, inform someone else immediately. Whether it’s a strange vehicle parked outside of your home or a neighbor’s front door is wide open – act fast. You can utilize your community’s social media groups to share information with everybody quickly.
Start a Neighborhood Watch
Forming a ‘neighborhood watch’ is one of the best ways to keep crime away from your community. This program aims to help individuals protect themselves and their property by improving security, practicing better vigilance, and providing accurate reporting. If your area doesn’t have one yet, consider starting one. Make sure to inform your local law enforcement bureau beforehand to avoid any troubles and get an insight from a police officer, as most of these offices send out professionals to neighborhood watch meetings to assist.
Share Advice About Security Landscaping
While most Homeowners’ Association groups are strict about community and landscaping appearances, some aren’t. If your neighborhood is one of them, take advantage of this and discuss how landscaping can help improve curb appeal and safety. For instance, keeping hedges and trees trimmed often to mitigate any hiding spots, planting flowers with thorns in front of windows at home to deter intruders, and adding stones on walkways to detect intruders immediately are great ways to boost landscaping security.
Host Regular Meetings
Regular meetings are what holds communities together, so it’s best to have one with your neighbors at least once a month. These meetings allow people to talk to one another, share or brainstorm ideas, and make the community’s ‘bond’ stronger. Supplement these gatherings with online Q&A sessions sharing the topics discussed or ideas given at meetings to the community’s social media groups.
Remember that together you’re stronger and less vulnerable, so follow the tips mentioned to bring your community together and boost security to ensure everyone’s safety and peace of mind
