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Get involved in your neighborhood

Neighbors helping one another, looking out for each other: It gives law enforcement an extra set of eyes and ears to help keep your community safe.

The opposite is also true. A neighborhood where residents keep to themselves and don't maintain a vigilant watch over the community makes an inviting target for burglars and thieves. So what can you do to be a good neighbor and improve the safety of you and your loved ones, your property and the entire community? The simple answer is to get to know your neighbors, get involved and keep an eye out for any suspicious activity.

Once you do, you'll be more likely to spot people and cars that are out place. You'll be more likely to prevent crimes before they can occur.

Here are some specific tips to help prevent crime in your
neighborhood:

• Be observant.
• Report any suspicious people, vehicles or activity to the Sheriff's Office or your nearest police department and then alert your neighbors. We appreciate these types of calls and don't consider them a nuisance, so please take the time to call and don't sit back and assume someone else will do it.
• Use 911 to report a crime in progress. In order to assist law enforcement, try to get as much specific information as you can, such as the time and location of the incident, the description of the suspects and their vehicle and a license plate number, if possible.
• Get acquainted with residents who live next door, across the street and behind you. Make sure you know telephone numbers, addresses and descriptions of neighbors' vehicles.
• Inform your neighbors of your vacation schedules or planned overnight absences so they can keep watch over your home.
• Become aware of ways to protect your home with proper locks and lighting techniques.
• Learn how to spot scam artists and their con games.
• Join a Neighborhood Watch group or form a group if one doesn't exist in your neighborhood

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Volusia County, Florida.