Have a BLOCK party!

Work together to take the streets and neighborhood back... Neighborhood Engagement, CSI membership (Community Social Initiative), Pot Luck/Covered Dish meetings, Food with Friends, Street Revitalization, Building Friendships, Study Circle Project, Neighborhood Commission... call it what you like but become involved.

Sherwood Forest Citizens Association conducted an Eyewatch meeting with the membership on June 11, 2008.  It was a step in the right direction for our 30+ filings to band together warding off the evils of those that would take advantage of our hard work and resources.  The Baton Rouge Sheriff's Office and Baton Rouge City Police spoke on the subject of security in our homes and neighborhoods.  Some of the highlights were brought out in the security we display throughout our daily lives.  Security systems, security lights and watching the activity around our neighborhood were generally spoke about. 

Security systems should be installed but we tend to be too predictable with the codes and practices.  Codes should be changed annually for best results and the lamps on the keypad monitored for intensity.  The pads will sometime be lit but the lamps will dim on the digits most often used (our code digits) and when that happens we need to consider changing the lamps or the pad.  Also the pads will become dirty from our fingers constantly punching in the codes and should be cleaned often.  Any issue that may tip off an intruder to your code should be addressed for best results in maintaining a security system. 

Security Lights are best if they are proximity lights (work on movement) which draws the attention of anyone in the area that SOMETHING is moving.  This will also aid the police when investigating a call for assistance... they will see the light as movement is detected.  Yard lights are not bad, but will not show any particular movement to catch the eye of an investigating officer.

Eyewatch is a very good method in thwarting mischief, trespassing and burglary.  We need to be more involved in knowing who our neighbors are.  Get to know your next door neighbors and the ones across the street... find out what they look like and whom should be coming and going normally.  Exchange contact information and if you can see the neighbors home or yard get to know them.  Watch for any situation that makes you uncomfortable.  If you see someone coming into your yard or the neighbors yard that does not fit or seem to belong there, report that to the police.  If you see someone driving around the neighborhood slowly and checking out our yard, home or things in general, that should make you a bit uncomfortable... call the police and they can have it checked out. 

We have to communicate with each other and with the law officers in our city, (Sheriff's Office and BR Police Department).  The police will normally be closest to the situation here in Sherwood Forest but the main action is to call for help.  Emergencies should prompt you to call 911... do not be afraid to call for help.  Uses your camera to take pictures of the act in progress but do not confront the perpetrator (s).