Neighborhood alert is an initiative that uses data from a variety of 3rd party sources to provide homeowners with information on crimes in their area. Residents can receive alerts via email or text, and they can choose what type of crime they want to be informed about. Alerts may also include information about registered offenders, vacant or foreclosed homes, real estate for sale, good times to do home improvement projects based on supply and demand signals, etc.
A community can use this data to identify patterns and make changes to prevent criminal activity. It can also be used to help residents get to know each other better, which helps in identifying suspicious activities and people.
Many neighborhoods and apartment communities are relying on neighborhood watch programs to help deter crime. These are volunteer-based efforts to monitor and report suspicious activity to law enforcement. The programs emphasize observation and communication over direct vigilante actions, and they train participants to be effective citizens who can help keep their communities safe.
Having neighbors who know the names of the kids in the area, what cars they drive, and which ones are theirs is important. This can make it easier to recognize people who are not from the neighborhood, especially if they are carrying packages or walking with unusually heavy loads. Knowing which houses have interior lights on timers can be a good way to tell if they are occupied or not when someone is outside.