Beginning in September 2007, Citizens on Patrol (C.O.P.) patrols began within Parkway Central. C.O.P.s volunteers are trained by the City to patrol and observe. They are PCHA volunteers who work in teams to drive routes through the neighborhood during the day and evening hours. You may have seen one of the patrols with their C.O.P.s sign on the side of their vehicle. Several C.O.P. patrol units are working each week, so their visibility is increasing. But, we need to do more!
David Livings and Les Perrin, Crime Watch Coordinators say they could still use more volunteers. If you would like to help, contact David Livings at pc.crimewatch@yahoo.com
The patrols not only look out for suspicious persons and vehicles in the area, they note and report to the City such things as obstructed views due to vegetation, pot holes and other road hazards, street and park lights that are out.
COP's patrols have also observed that approximately 61% of PCHA homes are completely dark at night, with no outdoor security lighting or even a porch light burning. Lighting your property at night is a proven deterrent. Another observation has been many leave their garage doors wide open during the day or evening. This is an open invitation to thieves, so keep those garage doors closed!
- Most home burglaries take place in the middle of the day - broad daylight - when most people are at work and their homes are empty. Report suspicious activity such as loitering, door bell ringing by strangers, or suspicious walkers.
- Report (Call 911) any suspicious vehicle or person who is loitering, wandering aimlessly, approaching homes uninvited or who otherwise is behaving susupiciously and who does not seem to have a legitimate reason to be in the neighborhood.
- Lock your vehicles.
- Do not leave valuables in vehicles.
- Park vehicles in the driveway or, better, the garage when possible.
- Keep garage doors CLOSED and other doors LOCKED.
- Never open the door to a stranger. Let them know, by talking through the door, that you are home, but do not open the door until you are sure that they are legitimate.
- Arm your household alarms when you are gone, home alone, or at bedtime.
- Bring your mail in early.
- Do not raise your mailbox flag to signal outgoing mail.
- Change those light bulbs and keep outdoor lights on at night - all night.