Our nearby neighbors at the Hancock Park Homeowners Association recently held an online Town Hall focused on issues of security.
LAPD Captain Anthony Otera of Wilshire Division provided the following list of 17 suggestions, which may sound familiar, but are effective tools that residents should consider implementing:
- Strategic lighting – light up your driveway; make sure your front doors are all lit at night; keep porch lights on all night.
- Install cameras and position them so you get a frontal photo of anyone at your front door.
- Do not resist. No personal property is worth your life.
- Consider not wearing expensive jewelry that may attract attention.
- Walk with a friend; there’s safety in numbers.
- Walk with your dog and be aware of your surroundings, avoid being on your phone.
- Secure your home – lock your doors; lock all your gates and exterior entry points.
- Secure garage doors and parked cars.
- Trim trees and shrubs to eliminate hiding places that attract cars and other potential offenders.
- Take time to meet all your neighbors and watch out for each other.
- Participate in your Neighborhood Watch.
- Get to know your Senior Lead Officer(s).
- Make a plan for what you would do if there’s someone at your door or you are confronted by someone.
- If you have a private security service (Post, ADT, etc) keep the dispatch number handy in case of emergency.
- Install motion sensor lights around your property that will turn on if someone approaches.
- Be aware if someone is following you. Go to a well-lit area if you are walking or, if you are driving, drive to a police station.
- Report suspicious activity — one of the non-emergency numbers for LAPD: 1-877-ASK-LAPD or 1-877-275-5273.
Captain Otero also stressed the importance of neighbors helping one another.
“Talk to your neighbors,” urged Otero. “Let them know if you are going out of town so if they see someone at your home, they will know it’s not you … and you can do the same for them.”
LFIA appreciates this neighborly advice and hopes each and everyone of you stay safe this holiday season.
Excerpted from the Larchmont Buzz https://www.larchmontbuzz.com/
