“The way to be safe is to never be secure.”

How can a neighborhood crime watch deter crime?

A Neighborhood Crime Watch educates participants in the principles of deterrence, delay, and detection. The program depends on a communication network organized with several equally important levels of participants: residents, Street Captains, Block Captains, District Coordinators, a Program Coordinator, Steering Committee Members, and local law enforcement. Everyone is an important member of the team.

Vigilante actions are in no way condoned by the Paloma Creek Neighborhood Crime Watch program. We ask that no one take personal risks or be a “hero”. Anyone who participates in vigilante justice will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

If you observe a crime in progress, please call 911.

All residents should start by following these steps to deter crime:

• Join our neighborhood crime watch.

• Attend the program meetings, meet & greets, and parties.

• Read the newsletters and blogs.

• Check the website frequently for updates, tips, and information.

• Secure your home and personal property (Take, Lock, Hide).

• Always lock your car and arm the alarm.

• Never leave an unattended car running.

• Have a residential site security survey done by a member of law enforcement and follow the recommendations. Followup with a regular self-survey.

• Participate in Operation ID by identifying your belongings with a personal engraved marking. Having an identifying number, like your driver’s license or state issued ID number (not your PIN code), on your possessions may reduce the chances of theft and make it easier for the police to return it to you if it’s recovered.

• Be alert to suspicious activity and report it immediately via appropriate channels (not social media as it is not monitored by the crime watch or law enforcement).

• Have your newspaper and mail stopped or picked up when away from home.

• Inform your neighbors, Block or Street Captain, and law enforcement if you plan to be away so that special attention may be given to your home in your absence.

• Secure all swinging doors with deadbolt locks - even the interior door from the garage into the home.

• Use an auxiliary locking, “Charlie”, bar to secure sliding doors.

• Keep doors locked at all times.

• Close and lock windows when you leave your home and at sunset - even upstairs.

• Install a home security system, register it, and have it professionally monitored. Wireless WiFi systems are the best.

• Leave your porch light on from dusk until dawn.

• Download the Ring or Neighbors app. You don’t need to have a Ring to use it, so you can be alerted to activities in the neighborhood and post as well.

• Use a crisscross paper shredder on all documents with personal information to prevent identity theft.

• Wait until as late as possible to put out trash.

• Breakdown all boxes and put them inside-out in/with the trash. They tell thieves what is in your home.

• Don’t hide spare keys. Give them to a trusted individual or install keyless entry.

• When going on vacation, stop all deliveries. Ask a neighbor to stop by your home once a day to pick them up, along with advertising circulars or anything else that may pile up on your front step that you are unaware of.

• Use automatic timers to turn indoor lights on and off to make it appear you are at home.

• Properly secure your firearms at all times.

• Don’t open the door for strangers.

• Set your doorbell to bark like a viscous dog.

• Meet the neighbors.

• Watch our educational videos on this page with your family (as age appropriate).

• Get involved wherever, whenever, and however you are comfortable at any level.

This is our home and community. The amount of effort that we place into this program will show as a direct result in crime reduction. Communities that participate in neighborhood crime watches experience the following benefits:

• Reduced risk of becoming a crime victim.

• Reduce the risks of burglary, home invasion, vandalism, assault, and fraud.

• Enhanced communication between the neighborhood and police department.

• Proactive approach to fighting crime.

• Provide the police with better information that they need to respond.

• Keep participants apprised of trends in criminal activity so they will be better prepared to prevent it from occurring in the area.

• Reduce the fear and anxiety of crime occurring, making our neighborhood more livable as it becomes a safer, more cohesive community.

• Increase the number of arrests and convictions by serving as a conduit between law enforcement and the community.

• Lower homeowner’s insurance and raise property values.

• Allow other areas of concern to be addressed (eg fire prevention, child safety, identity theft, Operation ID, car seat installation checks, CPR classes, water safety, scams, emergency preparedness, personal defense, babysitter training, “Child Safe Homes”, local wildlife, etc)

All of the videos have been selected for their content; however, the video below is excellent. I encourage you to watch it in its entirety. The man that they are interviewing targeted the North Dallas suburbs for over two decades prior to being apprehended by the Allen Police Department. He repeatedly stresses what was always the singular, largest deterrent during his time as a career criminal throughout the video. He gives common sense tips as well. He also gives some very interesting insight into animal behavior. I want to praise The City of Allen and the Allen Police Department in conjunction with the Collin County Jail for making this video. Without much further ado, I give you “Inside The Mind Of A Thief - Burglar Confessions”.