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Village Green Committees—Safety Committee
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Information Packets

How to Secure Your Home, 2008

> Advanced Awareness Tips, 2008

Tips to Illuminate Your Home, 2008

Neighborhood Watch—10 Steps, 2008

LAFD Earthquake Preparedness booklet (PDF, from LA City CERT web site)

Report
Download Safety Committee Crime Trends Report (367KB)

Advanced Awareness Tips
Download and print out a copy of this document (RTF - 87KB)

The Safety Committee, in conjunction with members of LAPD and the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department, has created this list of "Advanced Awareness Tips" to help our Neighborhood Watch participants be more alert. It is our hope that this will benefit you not only here at the Village Green, but wherever life takes you.

Below are suggestions provided by the Village Green Safety Committee. In every situation, do not do anything that puts your personal safety in jeopardy. Call 9-1-1 should you need assistance.

The information attached hereto is being provided as a courtesy only. The Village Green Owners Association makes no representations and/or warranties regarding the adequacy or completeness of any recommendations, suggestions or referrals contained herein. Use at your own risk.

• Advanced Awareness Tips
• Specific Scenarios
• Things You Can Do

ADVANCED AWARENESS TIPS

1. Be in the Present Moment:
Many people get caught up reviewing their day at work, things of the past, thinking about what they will be having for dinner, and so on. Instead, remind yourself to be in the present moment to pay attention to what is around you. Tapping into all your senses will help you stay present, listen to sounds around you, feel the wind on your skin, notice any scents in the air. Using all 5 senses will help you to be more present and aware.

2. Awareness is a choice:
Simply make the choice to be alert and aware. Think like a cop and get into that mindset to "always be looking." If you are out and about, choose to be aware. Even if you are just going to the kitchen or the bathroom, take a look outside to see what is going on.

3. Keep your senses 360 degrees around you:
Many people when they are walking to and from their unit, car, job, etc., get locked into "tunnel vision" and just look straight ahead, or even at the ground. Use your ears to listen in all directions. Use your peripheral vision to be aware of what is on your sides, above you, and every once in awhile, whether you are walking or just hanging out talking with friends, look around you and behind you to notice what is going on.

4. Be curious:
Look for things that are out of place, whether it be a different car parked in your court, people walking through the Green that you don't recognize, a service truck you don't recognize, people loitering, etc. Learn to be curious and question things.

5. Trust your 6th sense:
Ever get that sense that someone is looking at you and you turn around and they are? Trust your instincts or 6th sense. Be in the present, choose to be aware, learn to trust your instincts. If something looks wrong and feels wrong, it probably is.

SPECIFIC SCENARIOS

The following are some specific scenarios to look out for.

Home Security System
1. When pulling into your court in your car, be alert for anyone you don't personally recognize hanging out or loitering. Look for people or things out of place.

2. Avoid being trapped in your garage. Be alert for individuals you don't recognize BEFORE you get to your garage, be it driving or walking. When pulling your car into your garage, keep the engine running just a bit longer than usual. Check your rear view mirrors to make sure no one has walked into place behind your car. Before walking into your garage, remember to STOP, LOOK AROUND, BE ALERT. If you see anyone you don't recognize either loitering or passing through, don't enter your garage—be observant and call Platt for assistance should you need it.

3. Do not let strangers into your house. If someone comes to your door and requests assistance, call 9-1-1 for them.

4. The "Door bell trick": one of the last steps thieves will do once they have cased a unit and are ready to break in is they will "ring the doorbell" to confirm that no one is home. If you hear a neighbor's doorbell go off or someone knocking, be curious. See who it is and if the door is answered or not. If it looks suspicious, call Platt and/or LAPD if it is serious enough.

5. Hi beams: When pulling into your court at night, try using your high beams to shine extra light on the landscaping and court as you are driving to your garage or parking space.

6. Have your keys ready BEFORE you get to your car or residence.

THINGS YOU CAN DO
Join your Neighborhood Watch program: it helps you to get to know your neighbors and keeps you informed. Check for updates on the Safety Committee page of the Village Green website.

Keep your patio lights on. Many great automated timers and "dusk/dawn" sensors are available. There are even consumer level automated lighting systems for the inside of your home that are simple and easy to use. Go to www.villagegreen.net for reviews and suggestions of products.

Submit work order requests to the Office for any broken lights, or for overgrown landscaping that needs to be thinned out or removed. Talk to your Neighborhood Watch Captain for more information.