With 60,000 residents as of the 2010 census, Vineland is a city that many residents love to call home. However, the city also has a high crime level, which leaves many residents wondering what they can do to protect their home. For those who live in this relatively new city, formed in the early 1950’s, there is quite a bit that can be done to clean up the city and prevent more crime from occurring. Know the Crime Levels in the City Vineland has a crime index of 7, which means it’s safer than 7% of the cities in the United States. This isn’t a high number, which shows just how prevalent crime is in the area. The crime is mostly in center and a little towards the north while the south and southeast parts of the city are the safest areas to live in. Overall, a person has a one in 24 chance of being the victim of a property crime in Vineland, while there’s a one in 61 chance in New Jersey as a whole. Within the city, the largest type of property crime a person needs to worry about is theft. For every 1,000 residents, there is an average of 32.33 thefts each year. There is an average of 8.63 burglaries and 1.12 motor vehicle crimes as well. With a high chance of crime occurring, it’s possible that the resident or someone they know will be the victim of theft. This means every resident will want to take the time to learn more about what they can do to protect their home and their belongings. Know the Crime Levels in the Neighborhood It’s important for a person to understand their chances of being a property crime victim within the city in general, but understanding their own neighborhood is essential. Neighborhoods with neighborhood watch programs are less likely to be targeted by criminals, so it’s a good idea for a person to find out if there’s a program for their neighborhood or to start one. They’ll also want to look at some of the websites that detail the crime in the area by location and type. This gives them a chance to see what crimes are occurring closest to them and how often they might occur. Often, the local police department will also have this information on their website. Lower Your Chance of Becoming a Property Crime Victim Since the city has a high level of crime, even if the neighborhood is comparatively safe, the resident might want to take the time to learn how to lower their chance of being a property crime victim. Moving to another location isn’t always feasible, but there are things they can do. Installing a security system can have the largest impact, as can participating in a neighborhood watch program. Other actions are simple, but can still have a large impact. Bringing in belongings at night can make it more difficult for a thief to steal something. If there’s nothing that’s easy to grab, either on the porch, in the yard, or in a vehicle, the thief is likely going to look elsewhere for an easy target.Practice situational awareness. A person should always be aware of their surroundings, whether they’re at home or away. Most people notice more about the area they’re in when they’re not at home because they might be aware they have a chance of being a crime victim but relax more around home where they’re comfortable. Even when a person is at home, it’s important to keep an eye out and pay attention to what’s going on.Contact the police for anything suspicious. Residents that contact the police when they notice anything suspicious can help prevent crime. The police will be able to arrive faster and, if there is a burglary or theft in progress, might be able to either prevent the crime with their presence or catch the person in the act. This is a part of what makes a neighborhood watch program so effective, but it’s something every resident can do even if they don’t have an official program in their neighborhood. Investing in the Right Security System and How it Helps Along with making sure they take the steps above to help lower their chance of being a property crime victim, installing a security system might be beneficial for Vineland residents. Because of the high crime level in the city, it’s going to be a good idea to have at least a basic security system no matter where they live in the city. Often, a person will choose a monitored security system to ensure there is always someone who can contact law enforcement if the alarm goes off. However, they can also take advantage of do-it-yourself security systems so they can use cameras to monitor their home on their own. Often, just having cameras in view or a sign stating the home is being monitored is enough to ensure a thief will turn around and look for another home to try. If the thief does enter the home or steal something from the yard, there might be evidence from the security camera to help capture the thief and get the stolen items back again. If you live in Vineland, it’s likely going to be a good idea for you to learn more about the crime rates in the area and to ensure you’re informed so you can protect your home and your family. Using the tips above and investing in a security system soon can help you do as much as possible to protect your home and to avoid becoming another crime victim. Get started today to protect your home. |