Recommendation Report
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Table of Contents
Contents
TOC \o "1-3" \h \z \u Abstract PAGEREF _Toc24927070 \h 3
Introduction PAGEREF _Toc24927071 \h 4
Background PAGEREF _Toc24927072 \h 4
Statement of Problem PAGEREF _Toc24927073 \h 5
Analysis of Solutions PAGEREF _Toc24927074 \h 6
Final Recommendations PAGEREF _Toc24927075 \h 8
Conclusion PAGEREF _Toc24927076 \h 9
References PAGEREF _Toc24927077 \h 10
Abstract
An area where people live together and interact with another is termed as neighborhood. People residing in a neighborhood benefit from their shared characteristics and services offered to them catering to their needs. The impact of neighborhood on the lives is sometimes unpredictable. No neighborhood is free of all the problems and one of the recurring problems in my neighborhood consists of small break-ins and rattling of doors. Some other issues include vandalization that is a social issue that results in fear among the people of a community and it also promotes an idea that no one is in control in this premises and younger kids playing pranks on people. These pranks could be placing things such as dirty diapers on residents' doorsteps or throwing food and other items on cars. Some simple solutions to promote neighborhood security and self-security in this regard can be outside cameras, neighborhood watches, and possibly even motion detectors. A wide range of methods to enhance individual security and neighborhood’s security can produce good results. Installing a CCTV camera at the home is a good security measure yet it can also capture the kids playing pranks on neighbors. Adding bright lights outside of the home will make would-be home invaders think twice about breaking in.
Introduction
This recommendation report seeks to explore a range of issues and problems in the neighborhood alongside strives to find the best solution based on the problem and solutions analysis. It is divided into different sections such as the table of contents, an abstract, introduction of the report, background information, detailed problem statement, solutions analysis leading to final recommendations and pertinent references in the end. The sole purpose of this report is to explore the consequences of some critical issues in neighborhood and the need to solve those issues. In addition, a range of solutions will be analyzed, compared and the best solutions to be recommended to solve the problems. At the end of the day, this report will play an imperative role in solving the contemporary problems being faced in the neighborhood. With the aim to solve the problems, different resources will be used that will guide towards the way out.
Background
An area where people live together and interact with another is termed as neighborhood. These areas are said to have their own identity or 'feel' dependent on the residents of that area and the places nearby. Most often the residents of a community or a neighborhood share similar characteristics in terms of family life, income, education level and incomes etc. neighborhood also includes parks, shops, bookstores, and restaurants. People bonds and interaction with each other creates a sense of community and preserves cultural traditions. People residing in a neighborhood benefit from their shared characteristics and services offered to them catering to their needs. It also offers an opportunity to have a close relationship with institutions such as clubs and churches. Earlier, ethnic groups were forced to live in ghettos and barrios, contrasting to the neighborhood. Neighborhood is substantial in number of ways; it is an important element of the social and economic world; it influences our lives and its outcomes, shapes who we are and also it is the reservoir of resources which the members use to pursue their lives, and it is an essential arena for public policy intervention ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"pbREe5wc","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Kearns & Parkinson, 2001)","plainCitation":"(Kearns & Parkinson, 2001)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":1514,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/orkqtrjP/items/BNLKKMBU"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/orkqtrjP/items/BNLKKMBU"],"itemData":{"id":1514,"type":"article-journal","title":"The significance of neighbourhood","container-title":"Urban studies","page":"2103-2110","volume":"38","issue":"12","author":[{"family":"Kearns","given":"Ade"},{"family":"Parkinson","given":"Michael"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2001"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Kearns & Parkinson, 2001). Owing to this significance of neighborhood, the impact of it on the lives is sometimes unpredictable. Any issues in the neighborhood can also impact the lives of residents in multiple dimensions, sometimes unknown to them. Lives of residents of a neighborhood are vulnerable when problems become a common phenomenon. Thus, every smaller issue needs to be resolved at the individual end of residents as well as collectively for the neighborhood.
Statement of Problem
No neighborhood is free of all the problems; issues and problems are an indispensable part of a neighborhood. Sometimes they occur due to the misunderstandings between the community members, conflicts and disputes and prevail because of lack of cooperation. If neighborhood problems are not resolved immediately, long-term issues created by these small issues are not easy to address. One of the recurring problem in my neighborhood consists of small break-ins and rattling of doors. It is also an indication of residential burglaries that may lead to some criminal activity. Most of the break-ins happen at the night time but the incidence is also observed in the day time. It not only involves the monetary loss of damage and the cost of repair but also involves stress arising from fear, sense of not being safe, and other emotional impacts.
Another issue observed in the neighborhood is vandalization, it is a criminal offence that involves damaging some one's property, either private or public. There can be many reasons for this act; it could be an act of entertainment for the group of youngsters or to show frustration towards something or someone. This is a social issue that results in fear among the people of a community and it also promotes an idea that no one is in control in these premises. The residents of a neighborhood may feel vulnerable and it also impacts the price of property and apartments in a neighborhood negatively ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"Ly3VaFdJ","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Ceccato & Wilhelmsson, 2011)","plainCitation":"(Ceccato & Wilhelmsson, 2011)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":1525,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/orkqtrjP/items/DRXYYKMM"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/orkqtrjP/items/DRXYYKMM"],"itemData":{"id":1525,"type":"chapter","title":"Acts of vandalism and fear in neighbourhoods: do they affect housing prices?","container-title":"The urban fabric of crime and fear","publisher":"Springer","page":"191-213","author":[{"family":"Ceccato","given":"Vania"},{"family":"Wilhelmsson","given":"Mats"}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2011"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Ceccato & Wilhelmsson, 2011). Areas with the depleted sense of security perceived have generally lower prices of houses. Sometimes it also results in the incidences of violent crimes in the neighborhood alongside damaging the public and private property in a neighborhood.
One more issue observed in the neighborhood is younger kids playing pranks on people in the neighborhood by placing things such as dirty diapers on residents' doorsteps or throwing food and other items on cars. Neighborhood pranks are very annoying and have numerous negative impacts on the neighborhood. Some pranks are harmless, however, the ones witnessed in this case results in a dirty neighborhood. The dirty and filth is dangerous to the health of people residing in the neighborhood and it will also ruin the image of the neighborhood. Filthy neighborhood not only impacts the health of adults and children but the stress of living in the dirty neighborhood also results in the negative consequences on the well-being of people. The mental health of people is also impacted due to the environmental pollutants ADDIN ZOTERO_ITEM CSL_CITATION {"citationID":"J7bgSHmA","properties":{"formattedCitation":"(Galster, 2014)","plainCitation":"(Galster, 2014)","noteIndex":0},"citationItems":[{"id":1515,"uris":["http://zotero.org/users/local/orkqtrjP/items/KVPDY4T3"],"uri":["http://zotero.org/users/local/orkqtrjP/items/KVPDY4T3"],"itemData":{"id":1515,"type":"article-journal","title":"How neighborhoods affect health, well-being, and young people’s futures","container-title":"Chicago, IL: MacArthur Foundation","author":[{"family":"Galster","given":"GEORGE C."}],"issued":{"date-parts":[["2014"]]}}}],"schema":"https://github.com/citation-style-language/schema/raw/master/csl-citation.json"} (Galster, 2014). With no one knowing exactly who is doing these things, nothing has been done. All these issues create a need for problem analysis leading to the solution so that the negative impacts of these problems can be abridged.
Analysis of Solutions
The solutions to contemporary problems in the neighborhood can range from exploring ways to increase my own home security as well as ideas for the neighborhood. Some simple solutions in this regard can be outside cameras, neighborhood watches, and possibly even motion detectors. Being able to identify the parties responsible can solve current incidents, as well as deter future ones. For the issue of break-ins, one of the most popular solutions is to start a neighbor watch program.
There is an array of ways available for people to ensure their home security and it is really easier as well as less expensive than one would expect when they begin the research process. Most people would tell that installing a CCTV camera at the home is a good security measure. While it's true that CCTV cameras will help police identify burglars who enter homes, they do not actually physically stop burglars from entering (Welsh & Farrington, 2009). They may provide some deterrent, but if the home invader wears a disguise to cover his true identity, CCTV cameras become useless. If one really want to protect themselves and their family, they must ensure that home invaders cannot actually enter into the home and hurt the people living there. CCTV’s don’t prevent that so in addition to putting security cameras in homes strong doors and windows are a great measure. The best thing to do is strengthening the windows by replacing regular glass panes with either a polycarbonate glass or tempered glass and installing a window alarm. Home invaders are also scared of dogs because these pets can actually injure them, but if one does not want to have a dog in their home, they can buy alarms that let out loud barking and growling sounds when they detect movement. Also, adding bright lights outside of the home will make would-be home invaders think twice about breaking in. Cameras will help in catching people involved in break-ins and vandalization alongside capturing kids playing pranks on people.
One can also consider installing a burglar alarm system in connection with at least one movement detector for added security. One must replace all of the old locks on the outside entrances to either deadbolt, deadlocks, or mortise devices. These security solutions are extremely effective. Also, one can add door rails, striking crates, and other access reinforces as required. Nowadays, electronic deadbolt locks are available in the market. They are designed with the numeric code which is the most prevalent and it will protect your home security much more efficiently than a regular deadbolt. Many people consider having a dog in their homes as this is the simplest security measures. Animals are always prepared for unwanted activities so you can choose this option as well. One can make their home security as complex or as manageable as they wish. Sometimes, it could be a matter of expense or changes that make the decision of what works best. Another way of extending home security measures is to install motion detectors, if possible. Each motion sensor has its own range and diverse technology to aid in the detection process, however, they work best if one knows their range and where they need to put them. They utilize technologies of Passive infrared (PIR), Ultrasonic sensors, Passive infrared (PIR), and Vibration Sensors.
Neighborhood Watch is a co-operative between residents and the Police. Within a group, they have meetings to keep the residents in that group up-to-date on what's been happening that they need to be aware of (Bennett, Holloway, & Farrington, 2008). It encourages residents to keep an eye out for anything suspicious and whilst it’s important to respect peoples’ privacy and not react to everything that you might think worth reporting, makes everyone aware of looking after one’s neighbor. Initiating such a program in the neighborhood can be beneficial.
Final Recommendations
A range of solutions has been explored in the above section in order to get rid of the problems we are facing in our neighborhood. Neighborhood watch can be very effective but it also depends on the responsiveness of local law enforcement as well. It is much less effective without this. Broken window theory is most effective in its application in this regard. If a community acts quickly to address minor offences like graffiti and vandalism it goes a long way to preventing and reducing more serious crime. If neighbors contact the police when they see suspicious activity in their area and the police provide quick follow up then there is a good chance that a crime will be averted and even a possibility that criminals will start to get the word and avoid that area. Neighborhood watch members exchanging information on suspicious persons and vehicles can be done through Google Groups, email chains and other online platforms which greatly enhances awareness as well. Criminals tend to take the path of least resistance. They will go to locations where they know the community is less engaged / less likely to call the police and where the police are less responsive / less likely to stop and engage with them.
Dog keeping is also considered as a way to prevent break-ins, and animals are considered as the most effective guards for home security. However, a study reports that it is not an effective way to keep home safe (Fielding & Plumridge, 2004). With regard to this, among all the solutions mentioned above, CCTV cameras, secure windows and doors and replacement all of the old locks on the outside entrances to either deadbolt, deadlocks, or mortise devices, are some of the highly recommended solutions for preventing break-ins. CCTVs and neighborhood watch can prevent vandalism and it can also produce positive results in terms of thwarting break-ins.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, this report has presented a detailed problem and solution analysis followed by the final recommendations. The neighborhood is facing some issues such as vandalism, break-ins, and kids playing pranks. These issues make people residing in a neighborhood vulnerable and also create a sense of fear. In addition, such events lead to long-term consequences in the form of reduced prices of property. A range of solutions from home security to neighborhood security are available that could help thwart these issues. Amid these, CCTVs, replacement of doors locks, neighborhood watch and secure windows are some highly recommended.
References
Bennett, T., Holloway, K., & Farrington, D. (2008). The effectiveness of neighborhood watch. Campbell systematic reviews, 18, 1-48.
ADDIN ZOTERO_BIBL {"uncited":[],"omitted":[],"custom":[]} CSL_BIBLIOGRAPHY Ceccato, V., & Wilhelmsson, M. (2011). Acts of vandalism and fear in neighbourhoods: Do they affect housing prices? In The urban fabric of crime and fear (pp. 191–213). Springer.
Fielding, W. J., & Plumridge, S. J. (2004). Preliminary observations of the role of dogs in household security in New Providence, The Bahamas. Anthrozoös, 17(2), 167-178.
Galster, G. C. (2014). How neighborhoods affect health, well-being, and young people’s futures. Chicago, IL: MacArthur Foundation.
Kearns, A., & Parkinson, M. (2001). The significance of neighbourhood. Urban Studies, 38(12), 2103–2110.
Welsh, B. C., & Farrington, D. P. (2009). Public area CCTV and crime prevention: an updated systematic review and meta‐analysis. Justice Quarterly, 26(4), 716-745.
