We owe it to ourselves and our families to do our best to keep them safe. One of the ways to keep your family safe is to acquire more information about your neighbors and your neighborhood. A large percentage of crimes take place in or around our own homes and neighborhoods. The hidden dangers in your neighborhood include your neighbors. Most of our neighbors are great people who we would help out at the drop of a hat. Neighborhoods are typically great places where people come together and help each other. However, this is not always the case. If all neighborhoods and the people in them were so great then where would all the bad people have come from? They come from somewhere, and for all you know these bad people may be in YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD!
There are some great resources available to allow you to really minimize the risks in your neighborhood and keep your family safe. By being aware of and following just a few simple steps you can make your neighborhood a safer place for you and your family.
1. The DOJ National Sex Offender Website
This is a very important resource paid for with our tax dollars. Check to see if there are sex offenders in your area.
2. Check the County Courthouse
Contact your local county courthouse to check for pertinent information regarding possible criminals and criminal behavior in your community. County resources are varied. Find your local county courthouse for more information.
3. Local the Police Station
Get in touch with your local police station to gather important information about crime and criminals in your neighborhood and you community. Find your local police station and give them a call or contact them online.
4. Search Engines
It’s hard to even think of the world without search engines anymore. With so much information available online, we just need to search for it. Use search engines like Google to find the information that you need. Type in search terms that include your city. For example, if you live in Portland, then you could type in “Portland criminals” or “Portland sex offenders” into the search engine to start finding information
5. Social Media
Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms are always useful in researching individuals that you may find to be suspect.
6. Online Background Checks
SearchQuarry.com offers a free trial for our background checks. With your membership you get unlimited criminal records checks. We have also written another article which includes some good tips on performing background checks.
The document below illustrates some key data about neighborhoods in general, and some steps, and resources for family safety in your neighborhood.
