Why Community Safety Is So Important

At the heart of every community are the people who live there.  Our community is the place we live, work, learn, play and relax.  At the end of the day most people can’t wait to return to a place called home. Although our worlds can seem overwhelmingly busy and complex the sense of home becomes more important than ever.

Most homeowners are very concerned with public safety in their community. Neighborhood safety is often a main concern of homeowners and unfortunately, even the safest community is susceptible to crime. According to the preliminary 2012 Uniform Crime Report published by the FBI, nearly every U.S. region saw an increase in violent crime, robbery, aggravated assault, property crime, burglary and larceny-theft since 2011.

Living in a Homeowner’s Association community can actually provide benefits other non HOA communities do not get to enjoy. Added security measures may be one of those things. Some neighborhoods experience less crime than others, but no neighborhood is crime free. Even quiet, historically safe communities are apt to face a crime threat at some point.

Most HOA’s have an aggressive neighborhood crime watch program, but beyond that there are things community members can do to add extra security measures to what the HOA is doing.

Take these Six simple steps to help keep your community stay safe and secure:

1.  Get to know your neighbors

2.  Develop a neighborhood safety policy

3.  Remind homeowners about security. 

4.  Develop relationships with local law enforcement

5.  Publish tips and news on crimes in your HOA monthly newsletter.

6.  Public Awareness-Help residents stay aware of help resources and public assistance in fighting crime

Whatever safety measures your homeowners association takes, be sure to communicate the responsibilities of the association—and the homeowners—to help keep everyone safe.