Pali Patch Blog: Preventing Crime the Feel Good Way

I don't know if you are aware of it, but crime is on the rise here in Pacific Palisades. I could see this coming some time ago and made mention of it to others in the community. They thought it was a silly notion, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that as the economy contracts, those who are suffering will do what they can to get what they need.

Months ago I created a spreadsheet with every address number from our block on it. I decided it was time to see if neighbors might be open to having a neighborhood contact list distributed amongst us. I was not pushing for a Neighborhood Watch, but rather intended to use the list as an initial springboard to start one in the future. I did not push for the information. I simply asked them to give what they wanted to--phone or email. I was ashamed at the response. There was so much resistance that I put the idea to rest. People either just refused outright or claimed they knew the neighbors they needed to. I did discover that one house on our street corner is connected with another block that has a Neighborhood Watch with an email list. I put myself on the list, but this is not sufficient for my own block. I am jealous of areas like Marquez Knolls with its property association and block parties. I have heard there are several others as well.

Last Friday a came through our neighbhorhood. Some were taken and some were not. The neighbors have been alerted about the scam, but it makes me wonder if such things will only make my neighbors more fearful to open their doors and step outside.

How will folks in my neighborhood respond to increasing crime? One option is to purchase a gun. That is a personal decision. I have no judgment on that. People have to follow their values about their comfort with owning a gun. There are of course alarm systems and crime patrol companies too. And while these are all viable options that are worthwhile, I might suggest another to complement them--get outside and learn who your neighbors are.

My feeling is if everyone knows who their neighbors are they can immediately recognize someone who is not part of the neighborhood. I would also suggest that a neighborhood where folks are outside congregating is a wonderful deterrent for a criminal. Our barren streets is an invitation to crime, because there are no witnesses. I am thankful to people who walk their own dogs. They are doing a wonderful service without even realizing it.

I was reading up on the fact that post-war suburban homes were designed without front porches. As a result of air conditioning; TV; and the loss of front porches, our culture changed into the isolating one it has become. Front porches provided us with the opportunity to be outside, talk with our neighbors, and also keep a watchful eye to what is going on. There was a time people were up all night talking to each other lounging on their front porches. Unfortunately, there is nothing we easily can do about the design of our homes, but we can try to make behavioral changes if only we have the courage.

I fear my neighborhood will become like the Wild West or completely shut down. What if I am in need and do not have my neighbors' contact information because of their refusal to share it, or I do but don't have time to call in advance? What if I don't know my neighbor but they are the only ones home? Will they simply ignore me at the door or worse shoot me for fear of my intrusion? This is not the direction I want things to go. This is not a feel-good way to live.

I realize as I write this piece it will fall upon deaf ears on my block, but I do hope it will be heard by neighbors on other blocks in this community who realize while we have the option to pay for our security through guns, technology, and patrol services--the best of all are people, the people we live among. The approach I suggest of all the others is the most feel-good and inexpensive, and the least dangerous. Please consider it when choosing how you will deal with crime in your neighborhood.