Here are some simple steps to reduce crime in your neighborhood.

1. Report crime promptly. Neighbors sometimes don’t report criminal activity because they don’t want to bother the police, they assume police are too short-staffed to respond, or they believe that there isn’t much an officer can do Whether the issue is graffiti, petty vandalism or something much more serious, police cannot act without hearing about the problem from you. Don’t assume someone else has called. Make the call yourself.

2. Report nuisances and other non-criminal problems promptly. You may see junked cars on front lawns, abandoned autos in the streets, old mattresses left to rot in a backyard, garbage dumped illegally in a vacant lot. When you find yourself thinking, “Someone ought to do something,” do something. Rental property residents should report problems, preferably in writing, to the landlord first. Neighbors are also encouraged to call the landlord first with a complaint. If the landlord is not responsive, contact the Housing/Environmental Inspections Division of the City of Raleigh Inspections Department at (919) 807-5110 or the Raleigh Housing Authority with the complaint.

3. Take away the opportunity for crime. Think about your home, your car, and even your lifestyle and ask what you could change to take away the opportunity for crime. Lock your car and never leave valuables, even for a few minutes, where thieves might see them. Trim bushes or trees on your property that offer too-convenient hiding places. Trim trees and bushes that block the view of your front door or make it hard to see out your window.

4. Meet the youth who live on your block and greet them by name. This is one of the simplest steps an adult can take. Even people without children should know the parents of neighborhood children. In this way, adults can help in an emergency and discuss problems immediately as they arise.

5. Make a list of the names and phone numbers of every neighbor on your block. Set a goal of at least 10 neighbors and preferably 20 or 30. Did you grow up in a neighborhood where “everyone knew each other” and find that today your neighborhood isn’t like that? That’s true for many people. That’s not society’s fault. Instead, think of it as your own fault, and you can fix it. Unless you know neighbors’ names and numbers, you can’t call them about a concern or let them know about a neighborhood problem. Learn the names and phone numbers of your neighbors this weekend.

6. Make a list of landlords in your area as well. As property owners, landlords are responsible to the neighborhood, and most are concerned about the community in which their properties are located. You can find out the name and address of the person or organization that owns any property, including the rental house next door, by looking at Wake County property records, http://www.wakegov.com/tax/default.htm. Do it today.

7. Turn on your porch light. Do this every night at dusk and keep it on till dawn. Crime tends to decline in neighborhoods that are well lit. Turning on porch lights is a simple way to start this process. It also makes the street feel more welcoming to residents who are out for a walk in the evening. It communicates a higher level of caring for the neighborhood by residents. This can become a daily routine, or you can install a timer.

8. Walk around the block. It sounds simple enough, but neighbors benefit when responsible citizens walk more often around the neighborhood. At least, walk around the block, once every day, preferably at night if you feel comfortable doing do. Take a moment to chat with neighbors, including youth, when the opportunity arises.

9. Drive slowly on neighborhood streets. While we often call for stop signs, lights, and speed bumps, we often forget that we can slow down neighborhood traffic sooner. Remember that it is legal to drive a few miles per hour below the speed limit in your neighborhood. For example, if the speed limit is 25 mph, try 20 mph instead. Think of yourself as a “pace car driver” who sets a slow pace through the neighborhood. This will discourage speeders from using your street, because they don’t like getting stuck behind a car traveling at a more respectful pace.

10. Pick up the litter near your home, even if you didn’t put it there. Most people are less likely to litter where they don’t see litter already. You can help stop the growth of trash in your neighborhood by taking away the existing litter that attracts it.

11. Stay where you are. Stable neighborhoods are built on the commitment of long-term residents who would rather live in a healthy community than move to a bigger house. Communities reach stability when conscientious citizens allow their roots to grow deep and help transform an area that exists as a “neighborhood” in name only into a real community of involved people.

12. Help your neighborhood association or similar groups. Decide what greater contribution you would like to make, then take the lead and do it. At least, make sure someone in your household attends local neighborhood association meetings. You’ll be better informed about the issues facing the neighborhood and how you can help. You’ll also have the chance to shape, guide and participate in the future of your neighborhood.