I could use a little help. My neighborhood is being infiltrated by criminals, and I honestly don't know how to "prepare" for crime.
My son works at night and came home last night around midnight. He observed punks going car to car to burgle their contents or steal the thing outright, with the accomplices keeping watch. He ran inside, called the cops and kept a running commentary on the phone to them, updating the scene as they arrived with sirens blaring.
They took away one person and did the CSI 
thing on the perp's car, stem to stern. The whole episode lasted till 3 a.m. (Note to editor: No wisecracks about errors. I was up all night...)
My wife is concerned the bad guys will return to our house with retaliation on their minds. Our house is not gated, does not have an armed detachment, and we don't have a Rottweiler . The car is in the driveway while we are away. Everyone in the neighborhood works during the day.
Please tell me what to do. I'm new to this whole America-gone-crazy , crime-in-the-streets thing.
I called the insurance guys to find out what they recommend and what they expect—what coverage features they want me to have so that if anything happens, there are no questions. I don't want clerks haggling over what constitutes "damage." The car is fully covered (it better be, for the premiums!), but who wants to deal with all that?
No matter why anything happens, I want to have the right pieces in place to prevent it from happening, or to lessen the impact on my property and my peace of mind.
My kid is a hero . And a good luck charm, too—what timing to come home just in time to witness the crime in progress. If possible, it would be great to park him on the front porch till the whole thing goes away. But since he has his own life to live (the nerve!) I need a backup plan.
How do you prepare for crime? What does the Preparedness Kit consist of?
Charles,
That's is tough one and one that can't be compartmentalized in a case or backpack.
What about setting up a blockwatch program? Ensuring all neighbors' outside lamps/lights are on? Would the PD be open to an extra patrol, at least for the short term?
Maybe you should get a Rottweiler, or some dog that barks a lot.
-- Mike
Temperance, Mich.
I think if you're to go by history then history would suggest you hold a neighborhood meeting. The collective constituency has more clout with the city than just the average schmoe. Create a proposal for more policing, some beat cops, better lights, some officcial "crime stoppers" signs put up by the city. Coordinate between your local precinct and the city government. And let your local congressperson and your local mayor know that you're not happy with the safety of your neighborhood.
If it'll get or keep votes, it'll get done.