Cottonwood Heights Neighborhood Watch November 2009 Newsletter
Cottonwood Heights Neighborhood Watch is organizing in your community, and we need you to get involved! What’s in it for you? It’s safer streets and homes, community spirit, camaraderie with your neighbors, stronger relationships with law enforcement, and so much more. And it’s easy to participate in Neighborhood Watch!
Neighborhood Watch embraces and strengthens many things we’re already doing, such as watching out for each other’s homes or working together to solve problems. But Neighborhood Watch brings along the power of organization and the ability to focus energy and resources.
Often Neighborhood Watch groups get started because there have been incidents in the community that have caused concern – acts of vandalism, burglaries, or auto thefts. These are the types of crime that Neighborhood Watch is the most successful in reducing. An active Watch group can also help reduce drug dealing and open-air drug markets, discourage gangs, improve the security of young people, and help older neighbors stay safe from crime.
Get to know your neighbors. You are each other’s best defense against crime. Studies show that where neighbors work together, where they know and respect each other, there’s less crime.
To read more about why Cottonwood Heights Neighborhood Watch needs you: http://www.ncpc.org/resources/files/pdf/neighborhood-safety/neighborhood-watch-needs-you.pdf
To become an integral part of your Cottonwood Heights Neighborhood Watch, visit: www.chneighborhoodwatch.com and “join in.” If your neighborhood or block isn’t yet organized, become a Neighborhood Coordinator or Block Captain.
HOW TO RUIN A CRIMINAL’S DAY
Criminals love it when you are alone and away from people who could help you. So shop with a buddy and protect yourself from being isolated and becoming a potential assault victim because you are alone or in a dark or lonely area of a parking lot.
‘T was the month before Christmas and all through the town
People were busy shopping and rushing around.
The purses and wallets were filled with lots of money,
In hopes that finding great deals would help Mommy!
With bags full of gifts in every hand to carry,
Thieves were eager to catch shoppers unwary.
So shoppers take care and aim those thieves to outsmart–
Put the bags in the trunk and find a new place to park.
MALL SHOPPING AND SAFETY
1. Always try to walk to and from your vehicle with another person. If you are shopping alone, consider walking near other shoppers in the parking lot.
2. If shopping alone and leaving at night – particularly if you’re carrying several bundles – ask a security officer to accompany you to your car. Most malls will provide that service.
3. Consolidate purchases into one or two large shopping bags so you can keep track of everything. Never leave your purchases unattended, even for a few minutes.
4. A man should carry his wallet in the front pocket of his pants, rather than in a back pocket or in his jacket. A woman should hold her purse close to her body, with the opening facing toward her; when walking with another person, the purse should be held between the two.
5. While Christmas shopping in large crowds, it is best to keep personal items in front of the body and never let those items out of sight.
6. Park in areas that are well-traveled and will be well lighted if you return after dark. When parking in an attended lot, leave only the ignition key.
WEBSITES TO CHECK OUT:
For Mall and shopping safety check out this site: http://www.flhsmv.gov/fhp/misc/christmas/MST.htm
Christmas shopping safety tips: http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/204697/shopping/safety_tips_while_christmas_shopping.html
To view the National Sherriff’s Neighborhood Watch website: www.usaonwatch.org
Citizen Corps was created to help coordinate volunteer activities that will make our communities safer, stronger, and better prepared to respond to any emergency situation. It provides opportunities for people to participate in a range of measures to make their families, their homes, and their communities safer from the threats of crime, terrorism, and disasters of all kinds. For info: www.citizencorps.gov
Visit www.bereadyutah.gov for more information on how you can be prepared in the case of an emergency.
REMEMBER:
Call the Valley Emergency Communications Center (VECC) Police Dispatch @ 801-840-4000 for non-emergencies.
Of Course Call 911 for emergencies.
WE SEE, WE HEAR, WE CALL