Loved By Criminals

Are you the local criminal's best friend? 

How many of your friends are criminals?  Probably "none" is your answer.  But while they aren't your friends, are you friends to them?  Not that you'd watch their kids for them or go out to dinner, but you could inadvertently be assisting them in making an income.  

Are you seen outside your house?  When criminals don't see people out and about in a neighborhood, they know they are much less likely to be spotted coming and going, and actually in the process of committing their crime.  Get outside, greet your neighbors, play ball with the kids, or just simply go for a walk.  It's good for your heart, your waistline, and your neighborhood.  

Do you ignore problems that you see assuming that "someone" will take care of it?  Sure, we know that you are busy.  But if you see something suspicious, something that is dangerous, a nuisance, or otherwise a problem, take a few minutes and report it.  

Do you keep your property up?  A sign of a neglected neighborhood is when people just let their property go.  Long grass, trees and bushes that aren't trimmed, trash that collects in your lawn, are tend to make it look like people don't care (and can hurt everyone's property value as well).  Neighborhoods that are neglected are often targeted by criminals.

Are you afraid to mention problems because you don't want someone to be mad at you?  It's natural to be concerned that someone doing something illegal might want a bit of revenge.  However, let's examine a few things:

1. Police simply don't go around making a big deal over who filed a complaint.  It's bad for their business if they purposely go around making trouble for people who report crime.  If you are a witness to a crime and they need your testimony, your name will be a matter of public record.  But the police are there to correct a situation, not make trouble for you.

2. Criminals are naturally concerned about keeping a low profile.  Even if they did know who reported them, they are more likely to avoid being around your place than to be seen by it.  It only causes more problems for them.  You are trouble for them, they know it, and they know that there are many other places where they can pull their shenanigans without raising your ire.

3. Remember the old bully in school?  People who kept quiet didn't stay out of trouble with him.  They found more of it.  The bully knew that he could get away with being a bully when someone kept their mouth shut.  Criminals are simply the bullies all grown up.  When you show fear by ignoring a problem, you are more likely to make yourself a victim than you are to stay away from it. 

4. Criminals don't get caught until someone does something.  Let's be honest.  The chances of police actually catching someone doing an illegal act in a neighborhood is pretty slim.  Unless you make a report, the criminal is almost certain to do it again and again.

5. Minor crimes lead to major crimes.  It's true - few criminals start their career breaking into houses or assaulting people.  People aren't naturally that brave.  Most criminals start out with small crimes or being a nuisance.  And when they get away with that, they get just a bit more brave and do something else.  Do the little bugger a favor and report his activity.  You could be the person that keeps him out of BIG trouble.  Do yourself a favor and report small issues before they become big problems. 

Do you take an active voice in your community?  The best thing you can do to help out your local criminal is to remain uninvolved.  The more you stay inside, the less your are heard from, the less you are involved, and the better it is for the criminal.  

Make yourself heard, let people know you are around, let them know who you are.  But don't just be the squeaky wheel.  Become involved.  Volunteer for something that takes just an hour, twice per year.  With several thousand residents in the Sardis Roads area, if everyone participated, it would be like hiring 4-5 full time workers, just to work in our neighborhoods.  Imagine what could be done!

Are you a good neighbor?  If you don't know who your neighbors are and they don't know you, how can you possibly look out for each other?  It's a fact - neighborhood crimes are often seen by someone and they are not reported.  Why?  Often times, it's because the neighbor doesn't know a crime is being committed or they don't have a personal stake in caring.  

If you are going away to the beach for awhile, tell a neighbor and ask them to keep an eye on the house.  That way, if someone they don't recognize is walking out of your side door and loading up their van, the neighbor will know that something is wrong.