| Dayton and Columbus offer a lot of opportunities for work, higher education and entertainment. Although living in the city isn’t ideal for everyone, there are some nice suburbs just outside of those major Ohio cities that are perfect for raising families. Living less than an hour outside of either city offers Springfield residents the opportunity to take advantage of all Dayton and Columbus have to offer without worrying about the busy traffic conditions or crowded living spaces. Having a house in the suburbs does not mean you’re immune to crime, though. Criminals live in the suburbs and also travel there because there are more opportunities to break into unoccupied houses. Unfortunately, working class neighborhoods are prime targets for burglars because few people are home during the day. While many people think of crime as something that happens after dark, most burglaries happen during the daytime and Springfield has one of the highest property crime rates in the nation. Your chances of having your house broken into or getting something taken from your car are 1 in 16. It’s hard to protect your home and belongings when you have to go to work to support your family. Sometimes, a stay-at-home mom or retired person is home during the day and can deter would-be burglars from targeting houses on a particular street. You can’t count on these people to protect your home though. They have their own lives and although they may report suspicious activity if they see it, you can’t depend on them to watch your house all day on their own time. Home Security Systems A better option for you is to install a security system. This will not only be a sign to criminals that they will be caught if they break into your house, it may help keep all the homes on your street safer. Burglars don’t want to get caught. They plan to get in and out of a house quickly, with as many small items as they can carry. In most cases, stay-at-home moms and retirees don’t even know they were there. These people typically spend a couple of days watching the activity on a street prior to committing the crime. Because few people vary their routine from day to day, burglars are often successful when they break into houses without security systems. Neighborhood Watch There’s not much you, as an individual, can do to prevent crime in Springfield. However, if you work together with your neighbors and several people on your block install security systems, your entire neighborhood will be safer. Although the burglars might still find another house to steal from, yours won’t be on their list of potential targets anymore. Over time, as more and more would-be burglars see that your neighbors are serious about their safety, fewer homes in the area will be targeted. It all starts with making a commitment to keeping thieves out of yours and your neighbor’s homes. Starting or joining a neighborhood watch group is a great way to get to know your neighbors. Chances are, if you are like most busy people today, you barely speak to the people who live next door to you. By getting together to reach a common goal, you might find that you have a lot in common with the other people who live on your street. In addition to helping you make new friends, you’ll have a chance to learn who should and shouldn’t be in your neighborhood. This will prevent any unnecessary calls to police just because a neighbor’s adult son recently moved in and lost his house key. Protect your Car Criminals know that people tend to leave valuable items in their cars and many are too distracted to lock the doors. All they have to do is open the door, take the purse that was left on the seat and leave. If no one sees the light come on in the car, a thief will be long gone before the owner realizes their property has been stolen. The best defense against this kind of theft is locking your car doors. This surprisingly simple step will deter thieves, even if there is cash or other property inside the car because breaking a window makes a lot of noise and will certainly alert the owner or neighbors to a problem outside. Protect Yourself Nearly every city in America suffers from a certain amount of crime. You can protect yourself and reduce your chances of being a victim of violent crime by following these few simple tips. Hold your purse and bags securely when you shop. Have your keys in your hand and ready as you approach your car and only park in well-lit areas. Paying attention to your surrounds will help you avoid being caught off-guard by an opportunistic thief. It only takes a minute for someone to grab a distracted woman’s purse and run or snatch a bag out of the hands of a father who is trying to pay attention to his young children. That’s why it’s so important to take responsibility for your own safety every time you leave your home. Unless there are police officers nearby, the crime will probably be over and the damage done before they arrive. Your chances of being a victim of any type of crime decrease if you pay attention to what’s going on around you. You don’t have to live your life in fear, no matter where you live, if you take basic safety measures to protect yourself and your property. |
