Neighborhood
Make the Fountains a hard target.
Crime follows opportunity. These tips, first shared at an annual meeting, are the simple habits that make a neighborhood unappealing to criminals.
Vehicles
- Keep cars locked with the windows up, and keep them in the garage when you can. Never leave keys inside or a car running unattended.
- Don't leave garage door openers in vehicles parked outside.
- Keep valuables out of sight. The trunk beats the back seat.
- Carry your license, registration and insurance card with you rather than leaving ID or cards in the car.
- Record your license plate and VIN somewhere safe.
At home
- Keep doors, garages and gates closed and locked. Most crime happens in the early morning, but the planning happens at every hour.
- Consider alarm systems for the house and car, and motion-activated lights.
- Keep outdoor lights on at night and trim bushes that hide windows and doors.
While you're away
- Hold mail at the post office or have a neighbor collect it, and keep the yard maintained. An overflowing mailbox says nobody is home.
- Save the vacation photos for when you're back home.
Neighbors
- Report any unusual activity to a board member or the police.
- Get to know the people on your street so you can watch out for one another.
What the HOA does
The board and its committees have room for more volunteers. A safety committee needs just a few people and a couple of hours a month.
- Host community events so neighbors know each other.
- Form a safety committee to walk the property for poor lighting, overgrown hedges and faulty gates or doors.
- Build relationships with local police: invite officers to meetings and name a community liaison.
- Share security reminders regularly, such as a monthly tip, local crime statistics, and policies like not sharing door codes.