There is one thing that almost everyone agrees on: Of all the functions of government, safety and security has to be a priority, as it is the one thing that is difficult to enforce privately. Even free-markets, limited government proponent Milton Freedman whose philosophies included removing government from as many aspects of life as possible, believed one of the legitimate functions of government is to protect individuals from being coerced or harmed by others, including protection against crime through a functioning legal system.

Safety and Security are key aspects that home buyers seek in the areas they choose to live in. This is critical to their functioning and enjoyment of cities, towns and villages across the world. Accurate data and reporting of all crimes is critically important in evaluating crime and safety. Societies without laws is a society that lives in chaos and is bound for decay. 

We all have a pretty good idea of what does and does not work to ensure security in our neighborhoods. Elected officials who ignore these realities need to be called out. Corrupt law enforcement at every level needs to  be called out. Abusers of the law at all levels need to be identified and called out. Fast.

Quality of life matters to all. Those who erode this are truly the enemy of all. We all pay the price. I am a big believer in forgiveness, but I also know that when the perpetrators of crime know they can easily be absolved or forgiven for their crimes, the ability to deter crime is eroded. Quite the opposite, it can encourage crime.

When someone jumps the turnstile on the subway, everyone else has to pay for that. When someone does not pay the taxes they owe, the rest of us have to pay more to deliver the services (including those that deliver safety and security) that taxes cover. Safety and security applies to everyone. Everyone. Positive peer pressure may be the best preventer of all. Rigid enforcement of the law is the next best thing to prevent crime.

As a real estate professional, I know for certain how important this is to all my clients. Get involved to help the process: know your neighbors, stay in touch with them, report all crimes, lock homes and cars, be alert, improve lighting at night, install cameras (they work!), vote for elected officials who take crime prevention and law enforcement seriously and enact practical, sensible policies, educate your sphere and set a good example.