Crime impacts every community, no one is immune to it.
October is Crime Prevention Month, a time for residents to come together to raise awareness and take preventative actions to drive out crime from their neighborhoods.
Throughout the year, individuals can partner with law enforcement and local community organizations to find resources to educate friends and family about steps everyone can take to protect themselves and their communities.
I’m here to offer some quick tips to get started:
- If it doesn’t exist already, start a Neighborhood Watch group in your subdivision. Our Community Action Team and resident deputies can get your group up and running, teaching you best practices and leadership opportunities.
- Be wary of phone and email scams. Thieves are looking for vulnerable people willing to give them personally-identifying information. Never send money to someone you don’t know.
- Always lock your doors. Never leave valuables inside your vehicles. Cars are not mobile gun safes.
- People going door-to-door selling something too good to be true is probably too good to be true. Don’t let strangers inside your residence. Do your research before hiring someone to perform home services.
- Watch what your kids do online. Who are they communicating with? Monitor their social media content and teach them internet safety.
- When going on vacation, let your neighbors know to look out for your home. Hold mail and newspaper delivery, put lights on timers and turn on security cameras. You can also call Dispatch and request a property check from one of our patrol deputies.
- Properly dispose of unused and expired prescription drugs so they don’t end up in the wrong hands. We have drop-boxes at our county locations.
- Walk and park in well-lit areas. Travel with other people.
- Shopping online? Only use trusted websites. Dispose of boxes from expensive purchases.
- See something, say something. Submit crime tips with the form on our website.
Together, we can create a safer Lexington County for all.