NHPA would like to send a HUGE thank you out to Captain David Alexander of the Pensacola Police Department, Community Services Division, for taking the time to visit with the board of directors at our meeting on Monday, September 14th.
Here are some highlights of his discussion with us:
1. Overall crime incidents are down in Pensacola, but the severity of those crimes has increased, and because of that, we must be SMARTER and practice better security measures.
2. We must keep in mind that the unemployment rate is UP, and that crimes of opportunity (thefts from unlocked cars, homes, garages etc.) will be on the rise.
3. Practice "Target Hardening". Review your home security. Ascertain what your weak areas are and harden them. Make sure you are using those security features that you already possess (deadbolts, home security systems, car alarms). Look at what needs to be improved (visibility from the street, make sure your bushes aren't so high that neighbors can not see if someone is outside your house, use your exterior lights on your porches, motion lighting, timers on lights when away, etc.)
4. Be smart about who you hire to perform work at your home. Get their names, look them up on-line to make sure you aren't giving known felons access to your home and family. Some helpful sites for research: www.escambiaclerk.com (Escambia County Clerk of Court)
www.escambiaso.com (Escambia County Sheriff's Offices Public Records)
AND HIS MOST IMPORTANT TIP: Look out for your neighbors. Neighborhood watch is not a small group of patrol shifts, but an ENTIRE NEIGHBORHOOD being on the look out every trip we make from our homes, to school, to work, to exercise, to shop, etc. Every single time you leave your home, LOOK AROUND, notice anything that is unusual or suspicious and REPORT IT. Don't hesitate to call the non-emergency number at 435-1845 Program it into your cell phones and home phones NOW. If you think you should call....CALL. Help the Police help us, and keep our community safe.
