London Properties to support neighborhood watch

Source: The Business Journal

High numbers of vacant foreclosed and bank-owned homes, a down economy and an uptick in identity theft have led to increased problems with theft and vandalism of new, existing and empty homes in the Fresno-Clovis area. That’s why Fresno real estate company London Properties is for the first time this year donating flyers, marketing materials and signs to encourage area homeowners to form neighborhood watch programs. The company and local police departments warn that burglars are not only looking for jewelry and valuables, but also paperwork that can be used for identity theft. Additionally they look for copper to steal, especially in areas where new homes are being constructed. High incidents of theft and fraud can lower property values and reduce sales. So London Properties decided to get involved. “The best way to deter crime in a neighborhood is through watchful eyes,” said Patrick Conner, president of London Properties. The program is needed to prevent vandalism, theft and fraud, he said. Conner urged neighbors to be on the lookout for any suspicious activity, vehicles or solicitors. Also, vacant homes are sometimes used for squatting. In some cases thieves are stealing appliances from vacant homes. And burglaries can happen in any neighborhood. “It’s happening in some of our best neighborhoods,” Conner said. Police and sheriff’s departments back neighborhood watch programs as a viable crime prevention tool. “And law enforcement makes visits to neighborhood watch homes to determine how to best secure the home,” Conner said. “Residents get reports about crime and get good ideas and tips about how to secure a home.” Alarm systems used on a regular basis are part of the plan. In the past, getting a neighborhood watch program off the ground was a challenge. But London Properties plans to push-start the effort, providing mailers, street signs, database management services and meeting facilities to residents in Fresno, Clovis, Madera, Sanger, Kingsburg, Chowchilla and Merced. “Everyone wants an active neighborhood watch program, but we found that they lack the resources to get organized,” Conner said. The biggest problem has been in trying to get someone to lead a neighborhood watch program, getting the word out that a program is being formed and posting appropriate signage, Conner said. “We have those resources and we are committed to healthy and safe neighborhoods,” he said. “Safe neighborhoods mean higher home values. Higher home values are better for our homeowners and for realtors. That’s why we’re here to help.” Neighborhood watch representatives along with area police and sheriff’s departments have been meeting with realtors at each London Properties office to discuss how to reduce property crimes and set up Neighborhood Watch programs. At the meetings, representatives of London Properties’ in-house marketing department, Reliance Marketing, showed examples of the program flyers and marketing materials. They also demonstrated mapping software that will allow London Properties’ associates to select homes in their neighborhood so they can mail out reminders and schedule neighborhood meetings. London Properties will also add more crime prevention and safety information to its Web site, www.londonproperties.com .

URL to original article: http://thebusinessjournal.com/news/real-estate/4010-london-properties-to-support-neighborhood-watch

For further information on Fresno Real Estate check: http://www.londonpropeties.com