How to make your community safer

A sense of community pervaded the meeting that Annapolis Police Department's Community Outreach Officer Cpl. Dannette Smikle had with about 25 Admiral Heights residents at the Michael E. Busch Annapolis Library on Sept. 8.

Smikle praised Admiral Heights residents for looking out for each other and reporting suspicious activities. The residents questioned her about what was being done to improve the safety of their community and how they could contribute to the efforts.

Residents and Smikle talked about simple precautions that could be taken to reduce crimes. “Crimes of opportunity” can be prevented by such simple actions as keeping properties well lit, keeping the grass cut and trees and shrubbery pruned back, locking doors and keeping purses and keys away from doors and windows, being aware of your surroundings, parking close to stores, not going out alone at night, and using your phone to appear to be connected with someone else.

A good phone number to remember is the Annapolis Police Department’s non-emergency number: 410-268-4141. The old adage for reporting suspicious activity applies: “If you see something, say something.” If you suspect suspicious activity or want to increase the security of your home while you’re on vacation, you may ask the department to increase patrols in your area. If your neighbors aren’t following their normal routines, you might want to request that the police perform a welfare check.

The police have many programs to make homes and communities safer. Smikle says she performs home surveys and recommends improvements that can be made to increase security.

She also discussed and handed out information about other programs, including the police department’s Positive Impact Program which emphasizes removing barriers and promoting positive behaviors, the Anne Arundel County Crisis Response System which provides help and resources “24/7/365,” “tips to outwit identity thieves,” and the police department’s “prescription drug drop-off box.”

Smikle plans to hold meetings for residents in other Annapolis communities. Judged by her reception at the Admiral Heights meeting, she’s off to a great start. If you would like to schedule such a meeting for your community, schedule a home security survey, or learn more about the police department’s other programs, call 410-268-9000.