Making your home the one thieves won’t target was the theme of a door-to-door program carried out last week in east Chatham.
Members of East Side Pride, the St. Clair College Police Foundations Program and Chatham-Kent Police Service Auxiliary distributed some 2,000 door knockers to homes as part of a plan to reduce property crimes.
East Side Pride founder Marjorie Crew said during a review of calls for police service to the area, an increase in property crime was noticed.
A presentation to the college program regarding neighbourhood crime prevention resulted in student Kayla Hodgson asking Crew how she could help.
“We are studying crime prevention through environmental design and this fit right in,” Hodgson said. “We designed the door knockers with tips for homeowners.”
She said thieves are opportunistic and will avoid homes that are well lit, don’t have shrubs blocking windows and don’t have valuables left in plain view.
“A few simple steps can make a big difference,” she said.
Crew said although East Side Pride has come a long way since it was formed 17 years ago to combat drug and prostitution problems, there is still plenty to do.
“We don’t see the blatant kind of activity we used to but we’re aware that crimes linked to drug abuse are still a major issue,” she said. “We’re always looking for partners and we’re glad to have the help from St. Clair College.”
For information on crime prevention, visit eastsidepride.ca.
