The objective of Neighborhood Watch is to ensure home owners are aware and alert to potential crime in their neighborhood and to keep a watchful eye on their neighbors’ homes.
Be Involved: The purpose of Neighborhood Watch is to have citizen observers deter crime. Members report crimes and suspicious situations to the police. Members additionally participate in educating their fellow community members in the areas of public safety. Members act as the "eyes" and "ears" of their community on a regular basis to watch their neighborhood and report anything suspicious to the Calvert County Sheriff's Office. It is proven that both thieves and vandals are more likely to go elsewhere when they know a "Neighborhood Watch" is watching them!
Benefits of Neighborhood Watch Programs:
Greater Awareness of Crime: Home security and personal safety are enhanced as residents become more aware of the threat of crime. Exposure to crime prevention techniques improves a citizen’s ability to remove and reduce opportunities for criminals to act.
Enhanced Reporting of Suspicious Activity: Residents are more aware of who belongs in the community and are more inclined to report suspicious persons and activities to the police. Typically, as the calls for suspicious activities increase, the actual number of crimes committed decrease.
Serves as a Clear Warning to Criminals: Neighborhood Watch signs alert criminals that residents are concerned about crime and will call the police when suspicious activity is observed. However, signs alone are of little deterrent value when not backed up by an active Neighborhood Watch Program.
Promotes Neighborliness: Neighborhood Watch encourages residents to interact with each other, sharing information about work schedules, vacation plans, types of vehicles belonging to their households, etc. It also encourages neighbors to observe the property of others and occasionally attend HOA meetings to strengthen neighborhood safety and security.
Access to Crime Data: Crime often moves from one neighborhood to another. Obviously, it is important for neighborhoods to be informed about crime trends that may threaten them. Members of the Calvert County Sheriff's Office "Community Action Team" can help identify trends and patterns through crime analysis and routinely notify Neighborhood Watch Coordinators of crime-related problems.
Increases Criminal Arrests and Convictions: The Neighborhood Watch Program serves as a network through which the Police Department or Sheriff's Office can collect and disseminate information on crime. Although most Watch members should realistically expect to see little in the way of real crime, the possible benefits of Neighborhood Watch to both citizens and the criminal justice system are proven everyday.
IMPORTANT PHONE #'s
Emergency: 911
Calvert County Sheriff's Office: (410) 535-2800
Maryland State Police: (410) 535-2880
* Power outage, you can report it yourself by calling SMECO's automated system at 877-747-6326.
Vehicle Theft Prevention:
Valuable Tips:
1. Don't leave anything of value, or anything that looks like it may have value, in plain view in your car. Even an empty backpack will be inviting to a thief. They don’t know that it’s empty.
2. Don't leave anything in your car with your name and address on it. Carry your registration and insurance card in your wallet.
3. Keep you car keys on a separate key ring from your house keys. Park only in well-lit, busy areas.
4. Do not put items of value in your trunk while shopping. Your trunk is easy to break into and thieves watch for people placing items in their trunks. If you have to leave something in your car, pull over and place it in your trunk before you get to where you are going.
5. Install motion sensor flood lights on the front of your house. This will not only help protect vehicles parked in front of your house but will also help protect your home and your family.
Vehicle Alarms
Vehicle alarms can be a deterrent to amateur car thieves and car burglars. Some alarms disable the vehicle's starter or fuel pump until reset by the vehicle owner while others merely make noise and are usually ignored. The alarms with the disable feature are the most effective. Keep in mind that even the best alarms can be bypassed.
Steering Wheel Locks
As with car alarms, steering wheel locks or the "Club" may deter inexperienced car thieves. These devices are easy to circumvent and should not be counted on to protect your car, especially if you drive a popular model that is often stolen for parts. Thieves can very easily cut the steering wheel or remove the lock from the bar itself.
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