Woodstock Early Bird is pleased to provide for you some tips from Woodstock Police about how to help keep criminal behavior down by “knowing”‘ and depending on neighbors. While this is obviously some great advice (and meant to help prevent break-ins and burglaries) we must just add our musing that sometimes — especially in a small town — it might be good to have a program of “Know Your Neighbor Less”.
We are all for keeping an eye on the house and letting folks know when we’ll be away and for locking doors and not engaging in behavior that makes crime easier. However.
We’d like to say that privacy is at a premium round these parts (small town) and we’d like to support those whose jobs are tough or their family life tougher and those who, at the end of the day, just aren’t into chit-chat; those who who see their home as a refuge and aren’t really being into an open book at all times.
Woodstock Early Bird is just fine with neighbors who give a wave and go inside. We respect those folks. While it’s always fun to have a good ‘ole gossip session to catch up and Woodstock Early Bird certainly enjoys such discussions, let’s also admit — and we’ll put on the record — that sometimes fences make good neighbors, too.
Respect for one another and our differences AND our privacy can be lovely. Woodstock Early Bird is just sayin’ …Since the subject of “Know Your Neighbor” is on the table.
Herewith a press release with some info for you from Woodstock Police:
WOODSTOCK PD PRESS RELEASE
Know Your Neighbor/Know Your Neighborhood Campaign and House Check Program.
The Woodstock Police Department is asking residents to take part in the “Know Your Neighbor/Know Your Neighborhood” campaign to help stop home burglaries in the Woodstock Area.
Home alarms, fences and guard dogs are good, but the agency says one of the best crime prevention methods is when neighbors watch out for each other.
“Nothing beats an alert neighbor watching over their respective neighborhood” says Police Chief Robbie Blish. “The key to this concept is communication. Talk to your neighbor. Know who belongs and who does not. If you see someone suspicious in the neighborhood, pick up the phone and call the police.”
Woodstock PD also suggests:
Tell a trusted neighbor when you will be out of town, ask them to collect your mail or deliveries and invite them to park their vehicle in your driveway.
If you have an alarm system, use it!
Always lock your doors and windows.
Woodstock PD also offers the free House Check Program for when you are out town. If you sign up, an officer will inspect your home regularly to make sure it is secure. This has been a long running program created by the Woodstock PD as part of its commitment to community based policing.
By providing this service, vacationing citizens and second home owners can have peace of mind and security knowing that their home is being monitored and checked at different dates and times during their absence. Citizens can pick up a form at the police department and return it when it is completed.
Julia Carlisle
Woodstock Early Bird 