If you SEE something SAY something!

By Janet Macher

How well do you know your neighbors? Do you know who lives where? What cars are associated with a particular residence? Do you know your neighbors and neighborhood well enough to know who or what does not belong? Be prepared - Most good plans are not thought of during the crisis. The part of our brain that we need for logic and decision making usually goes out the window during an emergency. Make a plan and rehearse it for "what if" emergency scenarios.

Neighborhood Watch involves reporting suspicious activity to neighbors as well as law enforcement. Even if you are not sure, it is okay to call it in... the Sheriff's Office wants you to make those calls. Dial 911. But then what?

• The Sheriff's Office average response time: Just a few cars cover all unincorporated areas of Snohomish County. Depending on where units are and nature of the call, you can be dealing with an emergency for 15-20 minutes which is an eternity if someone is trying to break into your home.

• Firearms: Please let the dispatcher know you have a gun. When a Sheriff arrives on the scene, it will help identify who the good and bad guys are. If it is safe to stay on the line, the dispatcher can let you know when the police are arriving on the scene.

There is an alternate Non-Emergency Telephone Number for reports such as illegal fireworks, noise complaints and "cold" property claims: (425) 407-3999. You can also file an online report here: www.MyCrimeReport.us.

If you like Tools, check these out:

• Community Crime Map: Shows you crime in the area... Has it increased? decreased? What types of crime are happening in our Community? Analytics tab also gives you more specifics about individual events. Density map gives you a heat map. https://communitycrimemap.com/

• South Snohomish County Crime Blog: Run by volunteers for the Sheriff’s Department. http://ssnoccrimewatch.blogspot.com/

• Neighbors App by Ring: You don’t have to have a Ring device to use the app and you can upload video from any type of device. It essentially works like “Virtual Neighborhood Watch”. Unlike Next Door or other applications, the app only allows you to post about crime and safety. You can limit the scope of the area you would like to see and it is extremely useful when Neighbors are able to share information. For more info: https://shop.ring.com/pages/neighbors

• Smart 911: With Smart911, both 9-1-1 call takers and first responders know exactly what you want them to know in any kind of emergency. If you have someone with special needs, medication needs, your property has access issues such as a gate, etc... you can make this info to emergency responders. You need to sign-up for this service and it's free.

CHALLENGE - We must “challenge” those individuals who enter our neighborhood with bad intentions by calling 911 or the Non-Emergency number (425) 408-3999 from a safe location.

Join ELCG and the Echo Lake Community in the mission "To build a rural community that is safe, strong, resilient, and inclusive through neighborhood connections and Community Services". We are Stronger Together!