There are many different types of communities in the United States. Some are small, rural towns, while others are large, urban metropolises. There are also a variety of ethnic and cultural communities represented throughout the country.
All of these communities have different beliefs and ideals. However, all of them have the same primary concern: safety.
Crime Rates in the United States
The FBI recently reported about 2,000 property crimes per 100,000 inhabitants in the country. This means that, on average, every person in the US can expect to be the victim of a property crime once every 50 years.
The most common type of property crime is larceny-theft, which accounted for 72% of all property crimes in 2018. This was followed by burglary (17%), motor vehicle theft (9%), and arson (2%).
When it comes to violent crimes, the FBI reported about 386 violent crimes per 100,000 inhabitants in the United States in 2018. The most common types of violent crime are aggravated assault (63%) and robbery (28%). rape (8%), and murder/non-negligent manslaughter (1%)
While these numbers may seem alarming, it’s essential to remember that crime rates have been steadily declining over the past few decades. For example, the violent crime rate in 2018 was down 3% from the previous year and down 33% from 2009.
The safety of a community is always the top priority. This is why all communities have some form of law enforcement. In smaller towns, this may be a single police officer. In larger cities, there may be an entire police force. However, community members also play a significant role in community safety. Here are ways to ensure that your community is safe from crime and accidents.
Driver’s Test
According to the National Safety Council, over 40,000 unintentional deaths are due to vehicular motor accidents in the United States.
One of the best ways to prevent these types of accidents is to ensure that everyone in the community is adequately trained. For example, all drivers should have a valid driver’s license and know the rules of the road.
You can help ensure this by taking the time to study for your driver’s test and getting your license. You can also help by teaching others how to drive. This is especially important if you have young people in your community who are just learning to drive. Giving these younger people a chance to take an online permit course can make a difference in safety. They’ll know about the essentials of driving early on through this.
In addition to getting a license, all drivers should also be insured. This will help to cover the costs of any accidents that may occur.
Neighborhood Watch
Another way to help ensure community safety is to participate in a neighborhood watch program. In this program, neighbors work together to keep an eye out for suspicious activity.
You can report it to the police or your neighborhood watch captain if you see something suspicious. This way, the proper authorities can take action and investigate the situation.
Participating in a neighborhood watch program is a great way to meet your neighbors and build a sense of community. It’s also an excellent way to deter crime. After all, criminals are less likely to commit crimes in communities where they know people are watching out for each other.
Safe Homes
One of the best ways to prevent crime is to make sure that homes are safe. This means ensuring that all doors and windows are locked. It also means having a good security system in place.
An alarm system is a great way to deter criminals. If a criminal knows that an alarm will sound if they break into a home, they’re less likely to take the risk.
In addition to an alarm system, you should also consider installing motion-sensor lights around your home. These lights will turn on automatically if someone walks by, which can help to scare off criminals.
You can also make your home more difficult for criminals to break into by trimming back bushes and trees. This way, there will be nowhere for criminals to hide if they do try to break into your home.
Cameras
Another way to deter crime is to install security cameras in and around your home. If criminals know that they’re being watched, they’ll be less likely to commit crimes.
In addition to deterring crime, security cameras can also help to solve crimes. If a crime is committed, the footage from the security cameras can be used to identify the perpetrator.
Asking community leaders to install cameras in streets and public areas is also a great way to deter crime.
Community Events
One of the best ways to build a sense of community is to hold community events. This can be anything from a block party to a neighborhood potluck.
When people come together and get to know each other, it builds a sense of community. This sense of community can help to deter crime. After all, criminals are less likely to commit crimes in communities where they know people are looking out for each other.
In addition to deterring crime, community events are also a great way to build relationships. These relationships can help to make the community a better place to live.
There are many ways to ensure that your community is safe from crimes and accidents. By taking the time to learn about these ways, you can make a difference in the safety of your community.
