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We were told by the police that having neighborhood watch signs could be a deterent for crime, since burglars try to avoid neighborhood watch areas. But does it make sense to request signs from the town? It seems like only high crime areas actually have these watch signs. Will having a neighborhood watch sign decrease real estate value?
Are there actual requirements the town needs before providing a neighborhood with such signs? If no, and this is a proven deterrent, wouldn't it make sense to just put these signs up everywhere?
Yes, the town does need proof of an active neighborhood watch.
Quote:
Originally Posted by jpg71
Are there actual requirements the town needs before providing a neighborhood with such signs? If no, and this is a proven deterrent, wouldn't it make sense to just put these signs up everywhere?
You can get a sign for your own house, I think...my friend doesn't actually have an alarm system but she had a sign outside her house saying her house is alarmed (even tho it isn't)...like from slomins or something...but I don't know where/how she got it.
Its actually illegal to post alarm signs if you do not have the alarm. ADT / Slomins can potentially sue. If many people start doing this, then the idea of having alarm signs as a deterrent is no longer valid.
Its the same with Neighborhood watch signs.. you need permission from the town and proof that you have an active neighborhood watch.
Rachel, I heard that Levittown had a string of burglaries and recently started a watch program ( Levittown residents start neighborhood watch program ). How do these watch signs look? Do they say Levittown in them or is it a geneiic sign? Was it provided by the town?
I think having a neighborhood watch program would be better than just having signs that say so! Valley Stream has had a civillian's patrol organization for several decades now (Valley Stream Civilian Patrol).
We have established an active neighborhood watch, but before applying to have neighborhood watch signs, I want to get general opinions to see if having signs is a good idea. While it may be a deterrent to a potential burglar, I would not want to scare off a potential buyer.. since some people seem to think that a "watch" area means that the area has higher crime ( though it has no relation, this perception might have meaning since people are not going to educate themselves about a neighborhood watch just because they see a sign).
Quote:
Originally Posted by I_Love_LI_but
I think having a neighborhood watch program would be better than just having signs that say so! Valley Stream has had a civillian's patrol organization for several decades now (Valley Stream Civilian Patrol).
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