PSA: Neighborhood Safety

abramlett79

Over the past few months we've had robberies and home invasions in our subdivision. We don't live in a bad area. There are still new homes being built where we live.

So, here's my PSA:

-Keep ALL your doors locked when you're at home

-Look around you when getting in/out of your car

-Don't answer your door at night especially when you're not expecting someone

-Don't give ANY information to a solicitor selling an alarm system. Some Houston robbers have been using this tactic to find out if and when alarms are set.

-Leave your front and back porch lights on

-If you have an alarm, SET IT! FI and I set ours every time we leave and before we go to bed.

-Keep in touch with your neighbors, especially if you notice unfamiliar activity.

Our HOA reported that all the houses that had been robbed (during the day!) had working alarm systems that had not been turned on. It only takes a second to set before you leave.

Sorry for the long post, but I want all my fellow knotties to stay safe!!

ChawieandKikikat

This.  And never ever ever get complacent.  Just because you're in familiar surroundings doesn't mean squat. 

amy40311

What neighborhood do you live in? We live in the Galleria area and apartment complexes around here are constantly being broken into while people are at work. It's scary times...

erollis

In Response to <a href="http://forums.theknot.com/Sites/theknot/Pages/Main.aspx/local-wedding-boards_texas-houston_psa-neighborhood-safety?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Local%20Wedding%20BoardsForum:121Discussion:41f9d034-8533-4b7c-985d-758f3d9150b2Post:7a002c20-a361-4f87-bf79-5affe8907a24">Re: PSA: Neighborhood Safety</a>:
[QUOTE]What neighborhood do you live in? We live in the Galleria area and apartment complexes around here are constantly being broken into while people are at work. It's scary times...
Posted by amy40311[/QUOTE]

We live in the same area (Galleria). Our complex had an apartment broken into last week. Not a good feeling. Plus since we moved to a different part of the complex we do not know our neighbors (we hardly see them!). We do know the ones directly across from us (our porches face each other). They are very nice people.

lewisc2002

we live in the galleria area and our door was kicked in about a month ago at 9:30 on a friday morning. we set our alarm, though, so he only grabbed a laptop (i say "only" b/c it could have been a lot worse) and ran. our complex has cameras at the gates, but when we went to review them, the office staff didn't know how to use them and the resolution of the video was so poor that even though we could see him coming in and out, we couldn't read the license plate.

so yes, please be careful - we live in what is considered to be a good neighborhood. we pay for the alarm service, but if you live in a complex with alarm systems, even if you don't pay for the service, set the alarm - the noise alone will be just as effective.