Neighborhood alert is a community crime watch and neighborhood safety tool that allows residents to communicate with each other via two-way messaging. It is commonly used for residential neighborhoods, gated communities, apartment complexes, HOA’s and even business campuses to enhance security and safety. Its primary goal is to deter criminal activity through increased awareness, reporting, and surveillance by local citizens.
Residents can report crimes, suspicious activity and other concerns using the tool’s app. Alerts are then sent to nearby residents with photos, details and GPS locations to provide extra eyes on the area. Some apps are also managed by property management, community administrators and security companies to ensure reports are received in real time and acted upon.
One example of a crime watch tip that has been used is a picture of someone seen sitting in a vehicle at an unusual hour outside a neighbor’s home or business. The person is described to include their sex, race and age. This kind of information is invaluable for law enforcement to identify a potential suspect and stop them from committing an offense in your neighborhood.
There are other steps that can be taken to help deter crime in your neighborhood such as ensuring all doors and windows are locked. Trimming bushes and trees that offer convenient hiding places is another step to reduce the likelihood of break-ins. Lastly, getting to know your neighbors is critical for the development of a safe and supportive community.