| According to the latest statistics released by the | | | | type of home alarm system installed. A lot of |
| FBI, violent crime has gone down over the past | | | | times, simply having a sticker on your windows or |
| year, as have property crimes including vandalism | | | | a post in your yard stating that you have an |
| and burglary. Violent crime for 2007 was down by | | | | alarm system is enough to deter those who |
| 1.4%, which reverses the climb of the two | | | | would break into your home with the intent of |
| previous years. The FBI shows that property | | | | stealing your belongings or harming you. Many of |
| crimes dropped by 2.1%, and arson declined by a | | | | the alarms that are on the market today actually |
| whopping 7%. | | | | have two-way contact with someone in a call |
| However, the statistic the feds and the media has | | | | center ready to dispatch authorities or |
| been touting recently doesn't make victims of | | | | emergency services to your home if the need |
| crime over this timeframe feel any better, and it | | | | arises. This is a great peace of mind, and doesn't |
| does nothing to make people feel safe within their | | | | cost as much as many would think. |
| own homes. In order for this to happen, in order | | | | Aside from investing in a home security system, |
| to feel safe, you must take matters into your | | | | you can do some other things to help keep |
| own hands. | | | | yourself and your neighborhood safe. If there is a |
| In fact, in many of the smaller metropolitan areas, | | | | neighborhood watch, think about joining it. If you |
| in cities with populations from 10,000 to 24,999 | | | | feel that you don't have time to become an |
| violent crime, including murder, assault, and | | | | active member of the community watch, you can |
| robbery increased by 1.9%. In non-metropolitan | | | | at least introduce yourself to the members and |
| counties, violent crime increased by 1.8%. | | | | see if there is any other way that you might help. |
| The Criminal Justice Information Services Division, | | | | After all, these people are helping watch over |
| located in West Virginia compiled the statistics, | | | | you, your family, and your property. |
| which includes reports from more than 12,000 | | | | Get to know your neighbors so you can get a |
| agencies across the United States. | | | | better idea of who belongs in the neighborhood |
| Despite the seeming downturn in crime, it is still | | | | and who might be considered suspicious. It is |
| one of the largest problems facing the nation. | | | | better to be cautious and proactive in these |
| However, there are some things that everyone | | | | situations than to find out later that you could |
| can do to help ensure their safety while they are | | | | have saved someone's property, or even their |
| at home. | | | | life. |
| One of the first things you should do is get some | | | | |