Make your neighborhoods safer.
There are many things each of us can do to make our neighborhoods safer. Whatever your interests or abilities or concerns, you can pitch in. Here are just a few opportunities you might find in your community.
Neighborhood Watch Block Captain. Help neighbors be more observant and keep each other safer. Contact local law enforcement or your local Neighborhood Watch.
Community Emergency Response Team volunteer. Get together with neighbors to learn how to cope with disaster's effects on your neighborhood, especially when the authorities can't be there right away.
Bike Patrol. Join with others to provide patrol and assistance services, working with local law enforcement, on hiker/biker trails and at large public gatherings.
Mounted Patrol. Those who own and ride horses can volunteer in rural areas or urban parks to help improve the area's security.
Triad volunteer. By joining with other older people in a local Triad--a partnership of police, law enforcement, and AARP--to provide clerical and other support to help prevent crime.
Volunteer Firefighter. Countless communities around the nation still maintain volunteer firefighting forces. Check out qualifications needed in your jurisdiction.
First-aid provider. With training from the American Red Cross or a similar well-regarded organization, learn what to do--and what not to do--for people who become ill or are injured.
Park Crime Watch volunteer. Sign up to help local law enforcement make sure your neighborhood's parks are safe for everyone to enjoy.
After school program volunteer. Share your skills and know-how with young people in constructive programs that give them positive opportunities in the key hours from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Project Lifesaver volunteer. Help operate this program that assists in tracking persons with Alzheimer's disease, Down syndrome, or other afflictions that may cause them to wander away and get lost.
SAFE KIDS volunteer. Help educate parents on safe riding styles for children and make them aware of the need for these precautions.
McGruff / Safe House volunteer. Offer your house as a place that will call for help for children who are lost, threatened, or frightened. Work with local police to set up the program, if need be.
USO/MWR Volunteer. Share your skills and know-how with young people in constructive programs that give them positive opportunities in the key hours of the afternoon.
Community Education volunteer. Help law enforcement and firefighters teach prevention strategies throughout your community.
Web designer/master. Use your web skills to develop or maintain a site for community or neighborhood safety. Consider linking neighbors through email.
American Red Cross Disaster Services volunteer. Sign up and get training to help victims of any type of disaster at shelters and elsewhere with health care needs, food, clothing, and other assistance to get back to daily life.
Youth mentor. In school or out of school, work one-to-one with a child who needs attention and guidance from a caring adult.
Youth group volunteer. Work with Scouts, Camp Fire, Boys & Girls Clubs, and other youth groups to form community safety and/or disaster preparedness teams. Work with local officials to identify roles young people can play.
Safe Walk volunteer. Whether on a college campus or in a neighborhood, help provide a sense of safety to someone who might otherwise have to walk home alone at night.
Anti-graffiti volunteer. Join a group committed to wiping out graffiti before it gets a foothold in your neighborhood.
Victim assistance volunteer. Help crime victims and/or disaster victims cope with the aftermath of the event.
Various Sources and Suggestions from Groups.