Question of the Day: Private Security?
On the same day last week, we heard in the morning from a policeman that the 88th Precinct (Fort Greene and Clinton Hill) had finally gotten a boost in manpower and in the afternoon that our neighbor across the street had been robbed the night before. We’re wondering what people think about the idea of…
On the same day last week, we heard in the morning from a policeman that the 88th Precinct (Fort Greene and Clinton Hill) had finally gotten a boost in manpower and in the afternoon that our neighbor across the street had been robbed the night before. We’re wondering what people think about the idea of supplementing the local police force with some private security. Our GC told us he thinks the local “bad guys” won’t be put off by rent-a-cops. Other people have said that bringing in private security would only antagonize relations between gentrifiers and old-timers. We’re sure other people’s response will be “If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.” But if you’ve already committed to being in a neighborhood, should political correctness stop you from doing everything you can to ensure the safety of your family? Is passing the hat to your neighbors to raise money for a night-time patrol realistic?
On my block, there was a rash of back window breakins some years back. This effected a variety of people with a variety of skin colors and income levels. Neighbors who talked to each other had a pretty good idea of who was doing it, and it was indeed a neighbor with a drug problem.
Well, I have to side with the folks who think that a private security force would not only allientate a lot of people, but would also be fairly ineffective. And, trust me, I ain’t tryin to be PC. The thought has occurred to me even in Park Slope – What if we could have private security for our block, and private street cleaning, and private parking, etc. Ahhh… sometimes I dream about the Connectitcut life, but (fortunately) my dear wife won’t allow it.
Anyhow, I have a lot of concerns about security for any number of reasons. I’m a worry-wart. First of all, I simply worry about my family, and second, my home is filled with things that are really valuable to us. And it’s a big home, so somebody could break in on the parlor floor while we are asleep on the top floor and we would never hear it.
I’ve dealt with my concerns a couple different ways:
#1 – Get neighbors involved. This one is just fundamental. The more you know the block, the faster you will be alerted to problems. Organize block events, stop and hang with the neighbors. Ask them to keep a watch on your house. Organize a block watch. There is power in numbers. And if the cops here about something from 20 different homes, they’ll have to pay attention. On my block we have effectively petitioned the city for all kinds of things. Somewhere on your block there is a “mayor”. Find that person and utilize them to help you improve things.
#2 – Get good home insurance. Seriously. Not the run-of-the-mill stuff, but home insurance designed for people with expensive, renovated homes filled with details and custom kitchens, and such. Chubb, Firemans, AIG Private-Client, these firms will fully insure you. And they charge a pretty penny for it too. But, hey, weren’t we just talking about hiring your very own private security force? So, the money is there isn’t it.
#3 – Spend the extra bucks to provide good outdoor lighting, both front and back. Also, encourage neighbors to do things like keep their porch/stoop lights on all night, install extra outdoor lighting, etc. when the block looks safer, it will actually be safer.
#4 – Bars on ground floor windows, heavy-duty locks on doors. This is all just common sense stuff.
#5- Get a kick-ass alarm system. No, I do not mean the ADT special of the week. That stuff is a complete joke. They will try to tell you that a couple of motion sensors will protect an entire brownstone. Shesh… you would be safer without the false sense of security. No, hire a professional security company, that will do a complete survey of your home, performed by someone with a law-enforcement background. And they will recommend a system that features sensors on virtually every door, window, and hatch, combined with motion and smoke detectors on every floor. And they’ll recommend things like fire sensors for your boiler and wireless back-up (in case somebody cuts your phone lines). Now all this will not come cheap. The minimum you could hope to pay for an installation of this type is $3500. And you could pay up to $7000. And we are not even talking about the monthly monitoring fees. but, you will be dealing with pros, who will provide flawless service. Is it worth it? Well, let’s see… it’s still probably way cheaper and way more effective than hiring a private security force.
I have a couple of questions to ask Anonymous who was robbed, and the others out there willing to answer-
1. You say a neighbor did it, do you have someone in mind? It would seem to me that you must be looking at all your neighbors askance if you suspect one of them did it.
2. You also say that the lack of diversity in greenpoint makes it much less desirable, but do you foresee the diversity in CH and FG lasting?
3. do those of you who live in CH and FG talk to your black neighbors, or do you keep to yourselves?
I live in B-Stuy, and I see new people on my block and when you try to make eye contact, it’s almost as if you don’t exist. All, that I have encountered, make a pointed effort to avoid any interaction whatsoever.
Sometimes it seems as though a sense of guilt keeps them from looking me in the eye less they receive some sort of verbal abuse. I’m not like that though.
brownstoner, you’ve mentioned this idea before. I think it’s a bad one.
Just don’t go crazy with the search lights . . .
Front stoop lights with a motion detector are a good thing. Backyard motion detector floodlights . . . . well, just be sure you’re not pointing that light in your neighbor’s bedroom window. It took me more than a year to get someone to redirect one of those things and turn down the wattage to a safe AND considerate level.
I presume most people know it’s potentially unsafe to go to the ATM on your way home…reading the crime blotter in Park Slope, for years there’s been robberies on 8th Ave between Flatbush (2 ATMs) and radiating streets.
For Prospect Heights, there’s been a pretty active bit of blogging on crime and local police response on dailyheights.com’s message boards. People used to say ‘talk to your precinct’ to find out about crime patterns, but I’m seeing great info elsewhere these days…
This is an insane idea. Work with the established organizations to improve your area. Otherwise, it’s just simple arrogance.
I for one would like to hear from others in the neighborhood about the steps they’ve taken to make their home safer. Lights? Alarms, what?
We’ve got a private security company doing patrol in Prospect Park South. Is it effective? I don’t know for sure. The guy cruises around in his little SUV and shines lights on the houses, but I think his shift ends at about 10 p.m. Of course, the difference with my neighborhood is that the houses are stand alone so the guy is looking for people trying to break in rather than to establish a presence on the streets. We put in an alarm system in our house which has already scared off one intruder. On another occasion when the alarm was tripped inadvertently by us, it took the cops a half hour to arrive after they had been notified. In summary, I don’t know what the answer is, other than increased vigilence by all of us. Certainly, the cops don’t have me resting easy.
a lot of crime happens because people don’t think- yes, it’d be nice if we could all be lax about things but common sense goes a long way. my husband was mugged at our front door by a guy with a knife but he was just home from work (it was still very much daylight @ 8pm and the street very active) and he was tired and did a few stupid things that in retrospect made him look like eye candy to the drug addict that needed some money… yes, it shouldn’t have to be that way but it is. in fact he thinks he saw the guy at the deli on the corner the other night- it’s almost just funny now. the guy just wanted money to buy drugs and realized it was easier to flash a knife and get it then just ask nice and not get it… there’s more details to that story but one of the cops pulled up and said to the other “another one”- everyone on the street knows how easy it can be to get cash if you’re willing to go for it. of course it’s going to happen. i’d like to know the details of the house robberies, how did they get in, what time did it happen etc. these details would be good to know so that everyone can know what to watch for, listen for etc.