Halloween is a time for sweet treats and spine-tingling fun, but it can sometimes attract unwanted pranks and vandalism. While most Halloween stunts are harmless, some can lead to property damage and unnecessary stress for homeowners. Here are some practical steps you can take to deter mischief and prevent pranks this Halloween! 1. Secure Your…

Protecting community assets and keeping neighborhoods safe are high priorities for most Homeowners Associations (HOAs). Accordingly, many neighborhoods install security cameras for video monitoring of HOA property. But how does a volunteer board manage the task of monitoring the hours of recorded footage? Who is actually watching the videos? It’s true that checking cameras after…

As part of a greater crime reduction effort, the City of Houston now requires security cameras posted outside certain businesses. With input from the Houston Police Department, the city legal department created an ordinance that focuses on the kinds of businesses that attract the most instances of violent crime and theft. These include convenience stores,…

Neighborhood Watch programs have often served as another line of defense against criminals. HOA members and residents watch out for the community during vulnerable times. After Hurricane Harvey, neighbors who were not flooded patrolled entrances to their neighborhoods to keep looters and others away. While this manpower was great during those times, it is not…

As the temperatures go up and school lets out, petty crime also tends to rise. Police often attribute it to bored teenagers looking for something to do who are getting up to “no good.” While it might seem to be in good fun for them, these crimes can cause real damage or even escalate. Parents…

Call them Scrooge or the Grinch or just call them what they are – criminals. While it may just feel like horseplay or mischief to them, stealing or vandalizing holiday decorations is a crime.  According to a study by an insurance provider, 22.6 million Americans have had their holiday decorations stolen or vandalized. Sometimes these…

In an ideal world, criminals would have the respect to know certain places were totally off limits. Surely no one would be malicious or desperate enough to burglarize or vandalize a place of worship. Sadly, this isn’t the case. Burglars will break in anywhere they believe there are items of value. Why Religious Facilities Are…