As a homeowner, buying a home involves a sizable investment that impacts every aspect of your life. Investing the time and effort to do a neighborhood alert before you sign on the dotted line can protect your family and ensure that you’re investing your money in a safe, healthy environment that provides a good quality of life.

Crime Statistics

Leverage online tools like the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer and SpotCrime to examine local crime rates. Look for long-term crime trends, rather than isolated incidents. Also, pay attention to traffic safety, including the proximity of nearby highways and industrial zones that can affect congestion and air quality.

Talking to neighbors also offers valuable insights. Asking residents about the safety of their block or neighborhood can reveal concerns that may not show up in official reports, such as broken windows or dilapidated fences. Long-term residents can also provide valuable insights about changes in the area, such as declining or improving safety trends.

Checking the community’s involvement with neighborhood watch groups, HOAs and events like National Night Out indicates a high level of participation among residents, which is often a good indicator of overall safety. A neighborhood crime watch app allows residents to file real-time security and vacation alerts, usually with photos and other details, which are monitored by local authorities or security companies that manage gated communities or apartment complexes. It’s a popular choice for homeowners, renters and business owners looking to improve communication and deter crime.