Safety Tips

What Can We Do For A Safer Neighborhood?

Here are a few suggestions from our CANA neighbors and from our friends at RANK Patrol that may help boost our awareness for a safer neighborhood.

House Safety

Keep your home lit up at night, the last think a burglar wants is to be seen!

If you leave for vacation, do not leave a spare key under the mat or in the mailbox. 

Keep your security door locked at all times.

Make sure your house numbers are clearly visible during the day and night. This allows our patrol to respond to the correct house with no confusion.

When the weather is nice, do not leave your windows open while you are away, or over night. Screens can be easily removed and a burglar can quickly gain access into your home.

Even if they are enclosed in your backyard, keep your shed locked at all times.

Do not advertise your vacation on social media.

Vehicle safety

Do NOT leave your animal or child in your vehicle during warm days. 75 degrees outside + 90 degrees or higher in the car. If you see a child or animal left in a vehicle call the police.

Keep the inside of your vehicle empty. It can be as simple as sunglasses that attract a burglar.

A device called a PEDAL LOCK was demonstrated at our security meeting. It kept a CANA resident's car from being stolen. For those of you who are unable to park your car in a locked garage, the pedal lock device might be of interest. Check at Pep Boys on McHenry for $69.99 or go on-line. AutoLock X and AutoLock Pro. 

Alleys and Trash

Keep your trash bins inside your yard if you can. I know this is not possible for some, but for those who can, please consider.

Do not put recyclables out in your alley. It draws people you do not know to your place. You may think you are doing them a favor, but indeed it may get around, and you may become a target for theft. Donate your recyclables to an organization whose mission you can support. 

Keep them Clear & Fire Free! When vegetation is dry, a fire could easily be started with a discarded cigarette, or an ember from a 4th of July fireworks in your neighborhood. Once a fence catches fire, the entire block could be affected and possibly houses too. PLEASE take the time now to a look at your alley way and clean up any excess weeds and/or flammable objects. If your alley needs clearing, talk to your neighbors and work together to help prevent a disaster and stay safe.

Add a Dusk to Dawn Light in Your Alleyway. Dusk to Dawn Lighting Service is an all night outdoor area lighting service supplied from an existing overhead 12-volt source. The lighting facilities are installed, owned, and maintained by the Modesto Irrigation District under a monthly fee structure. Lights being installed on existing wood poles cost approximately $20/month for a continuous 12 months and thereafter, or a new pole assembly for approximately $30/month for a continuous 36 months. Only one household is billed (you can arrange to have neighbors help pay the fee). Download a Dusk to Dawn Light Application on the MID website. Call the MID office for any questions, 209-526-7337.

Tagging and Graffiti 

Walk your alley (if you have one) and use a hunter green spray paint or a matt black to cover any tagging or graffiti on the black and green bins. Your neighbors will appreciate your effort. By keeping them clear, it gives a message that neighbors care and they are watching. Do the same if your pick up is on the street.

Report any graffiti on public property to the hotline 342-2259.

If graffiti is on your property, please take time to paint over it or remove it. It is the responsibility of the owner to remove any tagging or graffiti.

Canals

If you back up to the canal, please keep your shrubs trimmed. There have been arrests along the canal area for drug use. Clothing and other items have been found to indicate people use these areas to hide.

Keep all family members (including pets) out of the canals. They are extremely unsafe.

Get to Know Your Neighbors

Get to know the neighbors around you. Neighbors who are connected watch out for each other.  Start a Neighborhood Watch if one does not exist.

Take walks with your neighbors. You may use this time to look for something out of place, tagging, or overgrown bushes and talk with your neighbors about taking care of it. You can work it out that several neighbors may work together on what needs to be done. While on your walk, conversations start that would not have happened if you stayed in.

Rank Security Patrol

Join the Rank Security Patrol for the CANA area. Subscribers are increasing. There are now over 200 in our area. Each increase of 50 can give us more coverage. Right now the coverage is 7 days, 10 hours each day. It is a great preventive resource, helps in deterring suspicious activity, and provides a service to confront anyone making disturbances.

Safety Contact Information

Call 9-1-1 for anything in progress.

Call 552-2470 for MPD non-emergency dispatch

Call 572-9636 or 572-9639 for Neighborhood Watch 

Call 342-2259 for Graffiti Hotline

Call 577-5250 for Blight Issues/Neighborhood Preservation Unit

Call 526-2025 for Rank Security Patrol