ADT Grand Rapids, Michigan

Keeping your Home Safe in Grand Rapids, MI

The city of Grand Rapids is one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in Michigan. Students move to the city for the many colleges and universities that are located in the city, graduates and young families are moving to the city for the job opportunities and the chance to purchase their first home. The population has been at a steady growth rate and shows no signs of slowing down.

Grand Rapids offers a unique population mix of residents who have lived in the city for their whole lives, new residents, and renters who will live in many different areas of the city for short amounts of time. The different neighborhoods in Grand Rapids, Eastown, Southtown, Heartside, and more, each offer a different feel to city life. Safety is a necessity for happiness in any of the neighborhoods, whether a homeowner or a renter.

Burglary is one of the highest occurring crime in Grand Rapids, though the numbers of incidents have decreased since 2015. Yet, the chances of becoming a victim of a property crime are 1 in 45 and the chances in Grand Rapids are 1 in 35. The lowest crime rates are found in East Grand Rapids. The city of Grand Rapids has a Neighborhood Watch program as well as other citizen based security programs, and East Grand Rapids has their own Neighborhood Watch program for their smaller community.

There is one police station in Grand Rapids, and it is located in the heart of downtown.
1 Monroe Center St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49503
(616) 456-3400

The police presence in Grand Rapids is very active. They regularly patrol the different areas and often are seen downtown and at public events to provide their assistance. It is still recommended to take active safety precautions due to the large population and due to the fact that many of the homes are older and easier to break into. In older homes, windows are easier to open as they are oftentimes older models. Doors to garages or into the basements are often the originals still, which can be weak and relatively easy to kick down. Older homes may not have outdoor lights to provide well-lit entries and exits into the home. Unlit areas are perfect for burglars to lurk and view the homeowner’s habits to find the best times to rob the home.

An easy robbery preventative is to have a close-knit relationship with your neighbors and in the neighborhood. An informal neighborhood watch can be as effective as a formally conducted Neighborhood Watch. Grand Rapids does have a Watch, called the West Grand Neighborhood Organization, located at 415 Leonard St NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. Their phone number is (616) 451-0150. The Watch helps patrol and report any suspicious activity in residential and commercial areas. They have a specific program to help monitor the business district and ensure the businesses are not vandalized or robbed.

The West Grand Neighborhood Organization also has a program called Adeline’s Promise. It is specifically targeted for aiding senior citizens update their home security. It is conducted free of charge for any senior citizen living in Grand Rapids who may need some assistance making their home safe. Volunteers will conduct safety checks, install smoke alarms, help change locks, install motion lights, and other maintenance to help ensure the homeowners feel safe in the city.

A security system can be the perfect investment to add safety and reassurance to homeowners. There are many varieties of systems available from many different companies. A common choice for a Grand Rapids resident would be EPS. It was founded in Grand Rapids in 1955 and they specialize in commercial security, video surveillance systems, and security systems of all sizes and scopes. EPS’s corporate office is located in downtown Grand Rapids at 750 Front St. NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504. Their phone number is (616)459-0281. They are a security company that knows and understands the city and they have years of experience designing security systems for government buildings, healthcare establishments, commercial businesses, and residential homes. Their staff is available 24/7/365 for questions and in case of any reports. They have a residential security system that can be easily hooked up to a smartphone or iPad that can schedule when lights should be activated, can arm or disarm the security system, provides notifications when someone has entered or exited the home, when a window has been opened, and even if a smoke alarm has gone off, if there is a leak or flood, or if there are any extreme changes in temperature.

A security system is not required for a safe life in Grand Rapids, but one should be considered if neighboring homes have poor curbside value, if there are loiterers seen often, or if there have been reports of theft and break-ins in the nearby neighborhoods. Home security precautions should always be taken, no matter the neighborhood, but a security system can be the key to fixing security concerns.