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Impacting a community often requires a workforce of scale that exceeds resources. The more effective a program becomes the more resources are needed to help facilitate the progress. This is why passing and implementing a city ordinance can drastically affect your results. A city ordinance empowers the community to become that needed resource, the one you need in order to lower crimes by 80% or more.

How it works

Endorsing an ordinance is often perceived as promoting limitations or inconveniences for residences and businesses. That is because most ordinances are rules that directly or indirectly limit those that it applies to. Rarely do we have the opportunity to create rules and governances that bring communities together in a positive way.

Dallas Texas implemented an ordinance in the early 2000s that promoted business owners and properties with 200 parking spaces or more to feature an awareness sign. This sign had a simple message hide your things, lock your car, and take your keys. Now, a highly recognize and regarded program across the state of Texas has helped to lower crimes in the largest of cities by 80% or higher.

To get an ordinance such as Hide Lock Take initiated the following is required:

• Draft proposal- a rough draft of the actual proposed regulation along with enforcement procedure
• Gather endorsements- officials and supporters at the highest level
• Present to City Council- at or before the next meeting present to those who sit on the panel
• Public hearing- allow the community to voice their opinion by presenting to community meetings
• Vote- once approved this will be presented for voting by the council requiring mayoral approval

While this may seem like a heavily involved task it can be broken down into subtasks shared by a whole department. It can be done by a citizen, an officer, or a group of individuals within an organization. There will be a waiting time once it is in the hands of the city council so frontloading most of the efforts towards the beginning is best practice.

Once you have the support of the residents within an area and have found a sponsor willing to contribute towards initial costs, you can get the endorsements needed from high-ranking officials. To find out more about ordinance passing and for an easy-to-use ordinance template, visit: https://www.hidelocktake.com/creating-a-city-ordinance/.

Most vehicle crimes start with the operator. All it takes is a little complacency and forgetfulness to land you in a miserable situation.

With holidays just around the corner, so are the highest crime rates of the year.

Criminals know cars will be loaded with expensive goodies and left unattended for hours on end. Those goodies in plain sight are ready to put a smile on the wrong person’s face, the criminals.

While you’re spending time in stores, standing in long lines, or making an attempt to burn off those holiday pounds at the fitness center, these criminals know you won’t be back anytime soon. That makes for the best opportunity to break into your car. And it is easier than you think.

Breaking a window takes all of a second and in the mix of holiday chaos could easily go unnoticed.

Let’s be honest, when a car alarm goes off do you really look around for potential crime?

This year it is up to you and your community to become proactive and not become just another robbery statistic that could have easily been prevented. After all, if you don’t provide it they won’t come.

So here is what you can do: we call it prevention

• Follow the HLT principles, Hide your things, Lock your car, and Take your keys signs.
• Keep extra towels or blankets in the car. Cover up anything of value and that could be mistaken as valuable. Thieves are more likely to see something and break in on impulse than pre-meditate a target.
• Keep mail, receipts, and other identification hidden in a safe place (identity thefts are at an all-time high with advancements in technology)

And here is how you can help others do the same:

• If you are a business, post the Hide Lock Take signs around the parking lot to remind customers to take precautions. It shows that you care. Also, consider posting a sign right by the entrance or in a common waiting area for those waiting for a table or appointment.
• Purchase or print for free the “Vehicle Rating Cards” and distribute as necessary. They alert vehicle owners about a Hide Lock Take violation and inform them about taking preventative action in the future.