Protect Your Neighbors, While Protecting Yourself

Recent events in Boston have taught us the value of resident cooperation and observation: from cell phone pictures to a person seeing a stain on the boat in his back yard and calling 911.

As we go about our daily lives, it is very easy to become so focused on the next appointment or school event that we don’t notice what is happening around us. It takes effort to check that the neighbor’s car is not present for five or six days in a row; it is not always easy to notice the new business that “opened” but never is open for business, or that there seem to be many cars going to a particular house on certain nights of the week.  

Life gets so busy that we are often not in the same place long enough to notice unusual behavior of those around us, and yet this kind of observation is exactly what helps police in catching criminals.

Friendly neighbors also are more aware of what is happening in the area, and can point out when something is out of place or doesn’t belong in the cul-de-sac. Building positive relationships with the people who live around you keeps us all safer.

When people care about each other, it is natural to want to know what is happening, and to reach out to offer a helping hand in times of distress. At the same time, when neighbors know what is happening, they are able to watch out for each other and see what is unusual in their neighborhood.

Pay attention: Notice what is happening and notify local law enforcement when things are not as they should be.

For additional information, check the SafetySmart Lilburn website