It's Not Even Safe To Look Out Your Home's Window

[scrantonluna]

I don't think that Wilkes-Barre is that far gone yet. There is a growing amount
of gang members and gang related crime, but I don't think it's to the point of
some other areas.

Gangs and other undesirable groups thrive on fear. Take away the fear, and
they move on to other cities. Keep your home well lit and invest in motion lights.
Dogs aren't a bad investment either - german shepherds as a breed are good
with kids and will be very defensive of the home.

Talk with your neighbors, especially the older ones. Develop a relationship and
a common bond. Invest in them as well - there is, as they say, safety in numbers.
Call the police whenever there is any strange behavior - cars coming at all hours
of the night, loud parties, even code violations; let them get the message they
aren't wanted.

In large cities where crime is more wide spread, the police will naturally target areas
that continually ask for assistance. It's also very hard for the police to do their job
if they do not get any leads. It may seem like nothing, but a call that starts out as
a nuisance complaint can easily turn into a drug investigation, and a whole host of
arrests may follow.

Many think that if they keep to themselves, they won't be bothered. Think again.
Don't be silent, be a siren. No one stays around when an alarm goes off, same way
the roaches hide when the lights go on. Be vocal and others will join you.

This is the only way to get the drugs and the gangs off the streets. Many suspects
are electronically fingerprinted these days, even for minor arrests. The more that are
in the system, the more the police can do, and the easier it is to get these guys
incarcerated.

You don't need money to have a strong, safe neighborhood, just a good
relationship with your neighbors. Many times, that means accepting a little
bit of diversity. There are good and bad people in all races, find the good and
get the bad in jail.

You don't move into a home, you move into a house; a home must be made, it
has to be worked at and developed over time. Same with a neighborhood.
You move into a block, you make it a neighborhood.