longtooth wrote:Any out there have a real neighborhood watch of some kind. More than the sign & "everyone knowing what is going on around your house".
We've got the sign, and the proper neighborly attitude, but nothing more.
I live on a two-block street, which has a couple of cul-de-sacs and connects to two other two-block streets. While technically a through street, we really only have neighborhood traffic. It's a very quiet neighborhood, a good mix of young families with children, and retirees.
About 8 years ago, I went jogging after working 4-midnight. On my final leg, I met an unfamiliar car moving very slowly down my street. I finished my sprint and started walking to cool down, and saw the same car coming back the opposite way with its lights out.
I was in front of my house at that point, so I ducked out of sight and watched. The only occupant was a young male driver, who parked in front of a vacant lot across from my next-door neighbor, raised the hood, and started pretending to look at his engine. "Pretending", because he had no flashlight, and there are no street lights on my street. It was
dark, and he was actually looking through the empty lot towards the neighboring mobile home park.
After 30 seconds or so, he shut the hood and started walking briskly. I watched until he turned the corner, then went inside and called 911. I was describing the situation while looking out my kitchen window when a car from my PD, and one from the neighboring PD, pulled up. I told the 911 operator, "Never mind. I see someone has already called it in."
She said, "Yes, sir, you're the third person to call."
Almost 1 AM, on a weeknight, on a quiet residential street. Only four houses had a view of that car, and I was the third to call it in. I think we have an effective neighborhood watch. :D
I walked out and ID'd myself to the police. It turns out the driver was surreptitiously meeting his underage girlfriend over in the neighboring trailer park. No harm, but he got educated on acting suspiciously. :D
Kevin
We have an irregular drive through on unscheduled nights. An escort for walkers that will ask. Working on getting the drive throughs more regular. I am wanting to get a plan for a watch at the sewer system & water tower. I believe soon there may be a real need for the people of every community & especially the country comunities to furnish there own real security. It is too expensive to hire. Started thinking about this one day looking at the country water tower close to where I deer hunt. So vulnerable. First goal of terrorist is to kill as many "infidels" as possible. Second goal is to spread fear & terror. National Guard, Coast Guard, & Military have there hands full guarding Airports, coast line & harbors, our nation. Police have their hands full in town. Sheriff can't be every where "guarding". That leaves us. If they can plan & pull off a 9-11 it would seem easy to me to set a date one yr in advance & just some time in the day one tower in a rural area some local choses in say 10 states west of the Miss. That should acomplish goal #2 in the lives of a lot of folks. I am looking to learn what works to improve ours not a what if scenerio. I would rather prevent than respond 
