Good neighbors should look out for each other.  Get to know your neighbors on each side of your home and the three directly across the street.  Invite them into your home, communicate often, and establish trust.  Good neighbors will watch out for your home or apartment when you are away, if you ask them.  They can report suspicious activity to the police or to you while you are away.  Between them, good neighbors can see to it that normal services continue in your absence by allowing vendors to mow your lawn or remove snow.  Good neighbors can pick up your mail, newspapers, handbills, and can inspect the outside or inside of your home periodically to see that all is well.  Good neighbors will occasionally park in your driveway to give the appearance of occupancy while you are on vacation.  Allowing a neighbor to have a key solves the problem of hiding a key outside the door.   Experienced burglars know to look for hidden keys in planter boxes, under doormats, above the ledge.  Requiring a service vendor to see your neighbor to retrieve and return your house key will send the message that someone is watching.   This neighborhood watch technique sets up what is called 'territoriality' which means that your neighbors will take ownership and responsibility for what occurs in your mini-neighborhood.  This concept works in both single family homes communities and on apartment properties.  This practice helps deter burglaries and other crimes in a big way.  Of course for this to work, you must reciprocate and offer the same services.

• Get to know all your adjacent neighbors

• Invite them into your home and establish trust

• Agree to watch out for each other's home

• Do small tasks for each other to improve territoriality

• While on vacation, pick up newspapers, and flyers

• Offer to park your car in their driveway

• Return the favor and communicate often
   

• Neighborhood Crime Watch: Suspicious Activities To Be Aware Of
   

• Person(s) concealing, attempting to conceal, or carrying something suspicious.
  Persons or vehicle stays in the same location for an unusually long period of time.
  Could be "casing" a home or business.
  Criminal looking for a possible victim.
  Waiting to participate in or initiate a drug transaction.
  Person could be sick and may need assistance.
  
  Person acts strangely.
  May be under the influence of drugs/alcohol.
  May be sick or injured.
  May be mentally ill.
  
  Vehicle frequently "cruising" a block or specific location.
  Might be a "get-away" car for a crime in progress.
  Criminal(s) waiting for a specific or appropriate time to commit a crime.
  Sex deviant/pervert looking for a target (victim).
  
  Car parked with engine running.
  A code violation in most states.
  May be a "get-away" car.
  
  Person(s) looking into cars and moving from car to car.
  Possible looking to burglarize a car.
  May be attempting to steal a car.
  
  Car being driven at night with no lights on.
  Car is being stolen and the thief is attempting to avoid detection.
  Car is leaving the scene of a crime and the criminal is attempting to conceal his tag, vehicle description and his identity.
  
  Person running at night or running for no apparent reason; is not suitably dressed for jogging.
  May be attempting to leave the scene of a crime.
  Intended victim of a crime trying to escape.
  Person seeking emergency help.
  
  Person(s) selling or conducting business out of his vehicle.
  May be selling merchandise without a license/permit.
  Might be selling stolen merchandise.
  Could be selling drugs.
  
  Person climbing into or out of a window.
  May be a burglary in progress.
  
  Vehicle being driven in a reckless manner.
  Driver may be under the influence of drugs/alcohol.
  Driver may be attempting to transport someone to a hospital.
  Driver may be leaving the scene of a crime or fleeing from police.
  
  Suspicious Sounds - If you hear anything that sounds like someone is being beaten, immediately call the police.
  Prying, pounding or breaking glass - (burglary in progress?)
  Screaming/yelling for help - (is someone in trouble?)
  Alarm going off - (could be fire, burglar, or car alarm?)
  Loud music - (is it being used to cover up screams for help as in domestic violence, or to cover up a crime in progress?)
  Gun shots - (murder?)

LIGHTING

Interior lighting is necessary to show signs of life and activity inside a residence.   A darken home night after night sends the message to burglars that you are away on a trip.  Light timers are inexpensive and can be found everywhere.  They should be used on a daily basis, not just when your away.  In this way you set up a routine that your neighbors can observe and will allow them to become suspicious when your normally lighted home becomes dark.  Typically, you want to use light-timers near the front and back windows with the curtains drawn.  The pattern of them clicking on and off simulates actual occupancy.  It is also comforting not to have to enter a dark residence.  The same light timers can be used to turn on radios or television sets to further enhance the illusion of occupancy.

Exterior lighting is also very important.  It becomes critical if you must park in a common area parking lot or underground garage and need to walk to your front door.   The purpose of good lighting is to allow you to see if a threat or suspicious person is lurking in your path.  If you can see a potential threat in advance then you at least have the choice and chance to avoid it.  Exterior lighting needs to bright enough for you to see 100 feet and it helps if you can identify colors.  Good lighting is definitely a deterrent to criminals because they don't want to be seen or identified. 

Another important area to be well-lighted is the perimeter of your home or apartment especially at the entryway.  Exterior lighting on the front of a property should always be on a timer to establish a routine and appearance of occupancy at all times.   Common area lighting on apartment properties should also be on a timer or photo-cell to turn on at dusk and turn off at dawn.  Garage or porch lights left on all day on a single family home is a dead giveaway that you are out of town.   Exterior lighting at the rear of a home or apartment are usually on a switch because of the proximity to the sleeping rooms.  The resident can choose to leave these lights on or off.   Security lights with infra-red motion sensors are relatively inexpensive and can easily replace an exterior porch light or side door light on single family homes.  The heat-motion sensor can be adjusted to detect body heat and can be programmed to reset after one minute.  These security lights are highly recommended for single family homes.

• Use interior light timers to establish a pattern of occupancy

• Exterior lighting should allow 100 foot visibility

• Use good lighting along the pathway and at your door

• Use light timers or photo-cells to turn on/off lights automatically

• Use infra-red motion sensor lights on the rear of single family homes

ALARM SYSTEMS

Alarm systems definitely have a place in a home security plan and are effective, if used properly.  The reason why alarms systems deter burglaries is because they increase the potential and fear of being caught and arrested by the police.  The deterrent value comes from the alarm company lawn sign and from the alarm decals on the windows.  Home and apartment burglars will usually bypass a property with visible alarm signs and will go to another property without such a sign.  Some people, with alarm systems,  feel that these signs and decals are unsightly and will not display them.  The risk here is that an uninformed burglar might break a window or door and grab a few quick items before the police can respond.  Also, don't write your alarm pass code on or near the alarm keypad.

Alarm systems need to be properly installed and maintained.  Alarms systems can monitor for fire as well as burglary for the same price.  All systems should have an audible horn or bell to be effective in case someone does break in.  However, these audible alarms should be programmed to reset automatically after one or two minutes.   The criminal got the message and will be long gone but your neighbors will have to listen to the alarm bell, sometimes for hours, until it is shut off.  If you use a central station to monitor your alarm, make sure your response call list is up to date.   Home alarms, like car alarms, are generally ignored except for a brief glance.   However, if you have established and nurtured your neighborhood watch buddy system, you will experience a genuine concern by your neighbor.  It is not unusual to have a neighbor wait for the police, allow them inside for an inspection, and secure the residence.  A good neighbor can also call the glass company or locksmith to repair any damage, if pre-authorized by you. 

The biggest difficulty getting to this level of concern is taking the first step.   You can take it by calling your local crime prevention unit at the police department.  Most police departments in large cities have neighborhood watch coordinators to help you set this up.  You should invite your adjacent neighbors over to your home for coffee and begin the information exchange.  You'll be amazed how the process runs on automatic from there.

• Alarm systems are effective deterrents with visible signage

• Alarm systems to be properly installed, programmed, and maintained

• Alarm systems need to have an audible horn or bell to be effective

• Make sure your alarm response call list is up to date

• Instruct your neighbor how to respond to an alarm bell
   

  Don't Be Part of the False Alarm

Alarms were originally designed to protect lives and property. Properly installed, used, and maintained, alarms are a real asset. When misused, they become a liability. Each year false alarms cost all of us millions of dollars and thousands of wasted man hours. The East Orange Police Department, as well as the security companies, must spend a significant amount of time and money responding to false alarms. You as the system user may also experience the inconvenience of false alarms and the assessment of fines. False alarms must concern each of us. They do not reduce crime and can cause a certain level of complacency among all concerned parties. They also increase the liability and endanger the safety and welfare of the public, responsible parties, and responding agencies.

• What is a False Alarm?

  A False Alarm is any alarm caused by human error or equipment problems requiring police response, with no evidence of an actual crime having been committed.

  What are the most frequent human errors that cause alarms?

  Residential
   

  • Use of incorrect key pad codes
  • Failure to train other authorized users (i.e., sitters, relatives, children, visitors, etc.)
  • Failure to secure doors and windows before turning on alarm.
  • Fail to cancel alarm with monitoring facility.

  Commercial
   

  • Use of incorrect key pad codes
  • Failure to train other authorized users (i.e., employees, janitors, delivery personnel, etc.)
  • Failure to cancel alarm with monitoring facility.
  • Failure to notify monitoring facility of unscheduled openings or closings (for businesses using set schedules)
  • Failure to update authorized personnel list with monitoring facility
  • Failure to secure doors and windows before turning on alarm

  What are the most frequent equipment problems that cause false alarms?

  • Improper application or installation of interior motion detectors
  • Improper application or installation of outdoor beams
  • Improper charging or checking of batteries
  • Faulty equipment (i.e., panels, detectors, key pads, etc.)

  What can you do to reduce false alarms?

  • Make sure everyone is familiar with alarm system operations
  • Secure doors and windows before turning on system
  • Be aware of changes in the environment (i.e., new animals, design changes, seasonal decorations, plants, etc.)
  • Notify monitoring facility of any and all changes (i.e., house guests, name changes, new employees, termination of employees, etc.)
  • Equipment should be routinely inspected, and maintained by qualified personnel

OPERATION TARGET IDENTIFICATION

This is a program supported by most police agencies.  They recommend that you engrave your drivers license number or social security number on televisions, stereos, computers, and small electronic appliances.  They suggest this so they can identify and locate you if your stolen items are recovered.  The E.O.P.D. suggests that you go way beyond this step.

The East Orange Police Department recommends that you photograph your valuables and make a list of the make, model, and serial numbers.  You should keep this list in a safety deposit box or with a relative for safe keeping.  Beyond that we recommend that you photocopy important documents and the contents of your wallet.  You will be thankful that you took these steps in case your home is ever destroyed by fire or flood, is ransacked, or if your wallet is lost or stolen.

• Identify your valuables by engraving your drivers license number

• Photograph and record the serial numbers of all valuables

• Photocopy the contents of your wallet and other documents

• Store the copies in a safe deposit box or with a relative