National Night Out and neighborhood crime prevention | PEMCO

What is National Night Out? 

National Night Out (NNO) is a nationwide event that takes place on the first Tuesday of August every year. It's focused on community building and reinforcing the importance of getting to know the people you live near. Why? Tight-knit communities typically experience less crime. 

According to the National Association of Town Watch, which organizes the event, National Night Out has proven to be an effective way to prevent crime. Since its inception in 1984, the event has grown from 2.5 million participants in 400 communities to 38 million participants in 16,000 communities. The event has been credited with reducing crime rates, increasing neighborhood watch participation, and improving public safety awareness. 

Check out the NNO website to find out if your city is participating. There are currently 124 participating cities in Washington and 78 participating cities in Oregon. 

Why is it important to know your neighbors? 

According to the National Crime Prevention Council, neighbors who know each other are more likely to look out for each other, report suspicious activity, and cooperate with the police. Studies have shown that neighborhoods with strong social ties have lower rates of crime and violence, and higher levels of collective efficacy (which is the ability of residents to work together to solve common problems or create plans). Knowing your neighbors can also help you in times of emergency, such as natural disasters, power outages, or medical crises. You can rely on your neighbors for information and support when you need it most.  

In other words . . . knowing your neighbors is another way to help you worry less and live more. 

How can you help prevent crime in your neighborhood?

There are many things you can do to make your neighborhood safer and deter criminals. Here are some of the top tips from the National Crime Prevention Council: 

• Lock your doors and windows, even when you’re away for a short time. 

• Use deadbolts and security systems with an alarm to secure your home. 

• Don’t leave spare keys under doormats or in flowerpots (or other obvious places). 

• Light up your home and street at night. 

• Install motion-sensor lights and timers. 

• Install a “smart” doorbell. 

• Have your neighbor’s contact information on hand. Let them know if you notice things like open doors, garage doors, or windows. 

• Organize a neighborhood watch program if you don’t already have one. 

While the first week in August is a great time to focus on home safety and neighborhood crime prevention, we think every week of the year is a great time to get to know your neighbors and employ best practices for deterring potential crime. 
 

For more crime prevention tips, check out these other resources from PEMCO: 

Should you install a video doorbell? | PEMCO 
How to choose the right security system | PEMCO 
Real Claims: My car was broken into | PEMCO