Our neighborhoods arent like that anymore.
Even in small towns, human trafficking is becoming a problem.
Drugs are everywhere, destroying families and increasing crime.
Street lighting, general upkeep and neighbors paying attention all impact the security of an area. Image: Shutterstock
The number of homeless, many of whom are mentally unstable, passed the staggering stage years ago.
Violent protests and social unrest are growing.
How do we make our neighborhoods safer?
Apartment dwellers can practice situational awareness and even a quasi-neighborhood watch right in their building.
How do we protect our kids?
The answer is not just law enforcement, although that is an important part.
Its the neighborhood itself.
Extra lights turn what could be a crime-ridden area into a well-lit area with no place for criminals to hide.
You see a strange car driving slowly up and down your street and just go about your day.
You start the process by simply saying hi.
Hold a BBQ for the houses immediately around you, if youre in a suburban area.
A neighborhood watch can help bring families together in addition to reducing the potential for crime in an area.
Talk to your neighbors and find out who they are, what they want, where their heads are.
Whats important to them?
Start finding out whos dependable and who might be interested in being part of a neighborhood watch.
Start talking about prepping and see if your neighbors have considered what theyll do in a disaster.
Use current events as a catalyst to get them talking.
If youre more rural, you might already know all sorts of things about your neighbors.
You might already have barter agreements, or be good friends that help each other out.
Build on that, and start looking at what else you might do together to make your area safer.
Get a security system; theyre quite affordable now.
Plant some flowers or even vegetables.
Train them to notice the routines so they can understand when something is out of place or somehow wonky.
