I'm just a home owner here in the Vistas of Encino Park but here are some things we can do to cut down on the crime in our neighbourhood.
1. GET TO KNOW your neighbours. You cannot know if burglars are going in and out of your neighbours house unless you know who lives there. When you see your neighbour outside go introduce yourself to them and get to know them. Let them know who lives in your house and what cars you drive. Let them know when your going out of town so they can keep an eye on your house.
2. Solicitors or scoping out?I have a 30 second rule when someone comes up to my door. If they can't convince me in that time I say no thank you (no one has convienced me so far). I never buy items or give out any info to adults or teenagers who knock on my door. If they are girl scouts or younger kids accompanied by parents, I'm willing to donate, but teenagers who look like they just got out of jail no thank you! Many of these individuals are coming up driveways and looking into cars. They want to see what you have in your house when you open the door to them. It's quite possible they are gathering intelligence to one day rob your house. Never let anyone in your house who you do not know!
3. After someone knocks on your door who looks questionable go get your phone put it up to your ear and watch the people as they go house to house. You don't even have to call the police, but they will think your calling the police. If they are up to no good, it will make them feel uncomfortable where they might leave the area. If someone is scoping out the neighborhood go get your phone and do the same thing. In a matter of fact when you call anyone go outside and make that call. If someone looks suspicious keep looking at them. Bad guys driving by in the neighbourhood might think you are calling the police on them when your simply talking to friends.
4. Report crimes and other deterrents.If your house or car gets robbed always report it to the police and to the HOA. The more crimes that are reported will increase surveillance by the police in our area. Remember always to arm your house and car alarms even if your going to be gone for a short period of time. Leave lights on in your house when your gone. Get your trash cans off the street as soon as possible this is a dead giveaway that your not home. Don't tell a lot of people your going on vacation or out of town. Just tell close family and your neighbours you can trust. Here is an important one we here over and over again: DO NOT LEAVE EXPENSIVE THINGS IN YOUR CAR ESPECIALLY IN PLAIN SIGHT. If we continue to do this crime will increase! Remember to get licence plate numbers!
*The crime in this area is not being done by kids who have "free time on their hands." I have seen a very organized effort and have reported it to the police. I have seen people taking pictures of homes. I have seen individuals dropping people off in Mercedes and both scope out cars and houses in our area (both of whom were adults). I see a lot of questionable people trying to sell items door to door checking out cars and houses, and show up at doors and ask questions for no good reason. Many solicitors have shoddy credentials and pretend to sell something when they are gaining intelligence about your house and car.
*Please keep an eye on your house, your car, and your neighbours around us. By following some these things I brought up will not end crime but it will greatly reduce it.
-Mel
