Nosey or Vigilant – using your eyes and ears?
13 Feb 2019
Dear LPG,
I have recently found your website and got quite involved reading some of the really varied articles that are printed there. I also read you invitation to readers that are not perfectly in agreement or have something to add to what has been said, to voice their own opinions and want to do so today.
It was RP’s comments about not peaking from behind curtains that was posted 24th June this year (►►►) that attracted my attention and, while I definitely agree with what was said about not being seen to be peaking at the world beyond your home, I think that the point has to be made about the part that we pensioners have to play in making sure that the streets we live in are a little safer.
We are the generation that often leave the house later in the mornings when going out and we often tend to spend more of our days at home, unlike our younger neighbours who are off with the children to school or on the way to work really early in the mornings. This leaves us in the unique position to be able to notice the odd and unusual activities that happen on our streets.
I know it is not always easy but it is a really good idea to know your neighbours well enough to say hello as you pass each other walking down the road. Perhaps swapping a little more information with them is not a bad idea either. It is really good if you live on a street where at least one of your neighbours would notice if they did not see you walking up the road for a couple of days, or if they would notice a strange visitor who came to your front door when you had gone out.
It is the stuff that neighbourhood watch is based on and noticing is not enough. Knowing your neighbours well enough to be able to tell them of any suspicions you may have is much more valuable especially if you can rely on being told about anything that one of them may have observed about your home.
It is an all too familiar story during the British winter months. How many times have you heard of situations where a person fell in their home and was not discovered for hours? Just think of the advantage of having a neighbour who enquired and was able to raise the alarm.
YW, New Cross
LPG noticed YW’s reference to neighbourhood watch and thought it would be a good idea to share again details of how to get involved or start a group of your own.
