• Get involved in community safety issues.village homes image by John Keith from Fotolia.com
  
  Residents of a community can make their area a better place to live by getting involved in community safety issues. Take the time to identify the safety issues facing your neighborhood or community, and then work together with local officials to help create a solution. Increasing awareness of community safety issues not only keeps you and your family more secure, it can also help to improve your neighborhood and increase your home's property value.
  
  

Domestic Violence

• Domestic violence can come in many forms. Spousal abuse, child abuse or even neighbors abusing neighbors can all lend to creating an unstable feeling in your community. Bring together the resources available through local law enforcement, crisis counseling centers and religious organizations to create a network where those suffering from domestic violence can find relief. Talk to members of the community to try and offer domestic violence victims a temporary place to stay while the authorities work to help bring the crisis to an end.
  
  

Child Safety

• Children are an important part of your community and you should take as many steps as possible to make neighborhood children safe. Have a responsible adult monitor school bus stops to make sure that children get on and off their buses safely. Offer shelter to children escaping bullies or other pursuers by displaying a sign in your window indicating that you are a safe haven for children. Encourage children to report suspicious activity by any adult to a parent or authority figure, and discourage bullying by other children as much as possible.
  
  

Crime

• If a community bands together, it can become a strong deterrent to crime. Develop a community watch group that monitors neighborhoods and reports suspicious activities or people to law enforcement officials. Work with your neighbors to develop a system that lets people in the neighborhood know when someone is at work or on vacation. If you see suspicious activity at a neighbor's home when you know they are away, report it immediately.