What is the best way to prevent crime? Porch-front security. When you talk to and get to know your neighbors, you and they feel more responsible for what goes on in your neighborhood. The simplest way to do this is to introduce yourself to your neighbors and communicate. Take them a plate of cookies and say hello. Once you feel you can trust your neighbor, give them a spare key to avoid getting locked out of your home and do the same for them. When I go out of town, I tell my neighbors, so they can report suspicious activity and bring in the mail and newspapers. You can also call the local police and let them know to watch for anything unusual at your house. If you have a driveway, ask your neighbors to park there when you are away, so it looks like someone is living at the house.
On Tuesday, August 3, 2010, from 6-9pm at the Aspinwall playing fields off Field Avenue, you will have a splendid opportunity to get to know your neighbors. Aspinwall Neighborhood Watch (ANW) along with the National Association of Town Watch (NATW) is sponsoring this event as part of the 27th annual National Night Out to help you get to know the people who live right next door to you and your local emergency support. 
At the field to help celebrate National Night Out will be the: multiple emergency vehicles including a helicopter, the K-9 unit, a 911 emergency mobile practice phone for kids, child ID kits, and a karate demonstration by Young Brothers Tae Kwon Do. The Kelsey Friday and the Rest of the Week band will put on a concert sponsored by MedExpress, so be sure to bring a comfortable chair from which to watch. Kids will relish the Bounce Castle, food treats, face-painting, temporary tattoos, sidewalk chalk, the free crayons and coloring books. Other fundraising activities include: caricature artist, dunk tank, glow sticks, and a 50-50 raffle. Please leave your pets and cigarettes at home. Gate tickets: $10 per family, $5 for individuals.
The second best way to prevent crime: Lights and Locks. As part of NNO, please be sure to lock your windows and doors and to turn on your outside house lights. To show your NNO and police support, please use a blue light bulb. Blue lights can be purchased by sending an e-mail request to: Aspinwallneighborhoodwatch@gmail.com
Kids, always tell an adult: 1.) Where you are going; 2.) If you see anything unusual in your neighborhood; 3.) if strangers offer you treats; or 4.) If something scares you. Remember to Dial 911 in an emergency. For fire safety learn to: Stop, Drop, and Roll. Be sure to tell your parents to learn your neighbors’ names.
To learn more about NNO: visit nationalnightout.org
To learn more about ANW whose mission is to sustain a safe, informed, and connected Aspinwall through community initiatives and outreach, please visit the ANW website at http://sites.google.com/site/aspinwallpa/ or send an e-mail to the address above.
Looking forward to meeting you, neighbor, at National Night Out on the fields of Aspinwall, Tuesday, August 3, 2010 from 6-9pm.
