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➡️ Please join UCCA for 2023 at: https://www.universitycitynews.org/join-ucca-today/
UCCA is aware of concerns about an apparent increase in crimes in the area. If you are the victim of a crime or observe a crime in progress or a life is in danger, call police emergency 9-1-1 to report it immediately. For non-emergency situations such as car thefts, car break ins, casing, solicitors, noise from party houses or other noise disturbance, call the non-emergency police dispatch line at 619-531-2000, push the *star key to speak with a dispatcher more quickly.
Have you experienced an increase in crime in your area? Neighborhood Watch helps to promote safety through education, observation, and reporting.
From Neighborhood Watch Coordinator Barbara Gellman: Neighborhood Watch is a citywide crime prevention program in partnership with our police that promotes safety through education, observation and reporting … and not through confrontation. San Diego’s Neighborhood Watch program helps to prevent many crimes; we all hold the key to safety, our actions or inactions determine the outcome. If you are not a part of a Neighborhood Watch group, then it is time to make the call to start the crime prevention process. Contact Barbara Gellman at bggellman@yahoo.com to be part of the solution.
Top Ten Crime Prevention Tips for Around Your Home:
- Lock all doors, windows, side gates and activate alarms. The side gate is major because left unlocked, the perpetrator can walk behind the house, unseen and have plenty of time to get in via a patio door or window. Secure windows/doors with a wooden dowel.
- Install dusk to dawn or motion detector lighting; darkness invites trouble.
- Do not let mail, papers or flyers pile up; gives appearance of no one home. Ask neighbors to pick up. Set inside timers if not going to be home.
- Add dead bolt locks to all doors, peepholes where possible. Add an extra boost to your security with a security camera doorbell.
- Lock car doors and leave nothing of value visible; park in garage or driveway if possible.
- Remove registration information from car to prevent identity theft. Make copies for wallet.
- Remove garage door opener and place in house to prevent possible entry. Be sure to lock door leading from house into garage. Keep garage doors closed unless working in or around area.
- Never leave children’s toys, bikes, sports equipment, lawn equipment out around your home, it advertises what you have and can be tempting to a stranger; he may think “what else do they have.”
- Eliminate hiding places by trimming trees and plants close to your home.
- Get to know your neighbors so you know who doesn’t belong.
When and How to Report Crime:
- Emergencies such as seeing a crime in progress or fear of injury to oneself or another, call 9-1-1 to report it.
- Non-emergency situations such as car thefts, car break ins, casing, solicitors, disturbing noise such as party houses or other noise disturbance, call the non-emergency police dispatch line at 619-531-2000, push the *star key to speak with a dispatcher more quickly.
Take a leadership role on your street as a Neighborhood Watch Captain or Co-Captain where you will gather neighbors to meet with our Community Relations Officer and the Coordinator to discuss steps needed to provide a safe environment.
- Knowing what to do if you see strangers casing the cars/house
- Knowing whom to call if a solicitor won’t leave your property
- Knowing whom to call for homeless problems
- Knowing how to prevent scammers
All of these and more are discussed and shared with your neighbors; knowledge leads to putting you in control, not the “bad guy”.
If you are not a part of a Neighborhood Watch group, then it is time to make the call to start the crime prevention process. Contact Barbara Gellman at bggellman@yahoo.com to be part of the solution.
For more information about Neighborhood Watch, visit https://www.universitycitynews.org/neighborhood-watch/
