The Eugene Police Department has kindly inspected our HOA, providing advice on how to better improve physical security.  In addition, officers met with residents to assist us in Crime Prevention. We have developed an active Neighborhood Watch and all Residents are members.  

Useful Police Department links and services include:

• The Holiday Safety and Security Guide.  
• The Eugene Police Vacation Program  
• The Prevention and Safety Guide
• The Home Protection Guide
• If you want to volunteer
  
• General Guide to Services and Info on Crime Types/Prevention
  
• NOISE Complaints

MOST IMPORTANT SAFETY TIP FOR RESIDENTS:  
KEEP YOUR EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON!

Additional Safety Tips and Common Sense Advice Provided by the Eugene Police: 

FIRST, VERY IMPORTANT:  REPORT ANY ISSUES! 

Use the non emergency number: 541 682 5111 or online: https://ceapps.eugene-or.gov/epdcoplogic/. 

Report no matter what--the police need data about what is happening.   Even small issues that you think aren't significant help form a picture of what is happening in our neighborhood.  And small incidents tend to grow in number and size.  So do not hesitate to submit a report immediately for any the following incidents: 

• Vandalism / Criminal Mischief
• Theft / Theft from Vehicle
• Identity Theft / Forgery

• Graffiti
• Drug Use
• Suspicious behavior 

If you see someone who appears to be mentally ill or in general distress, report it. Again, if it is not immediately life-threatening, use the non emergency number: 541 682 5111. Cahoots can respond to information reported to that number. (For those who don’t know: CAHOOTS (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets) is a mobile crisis intervention team integrated into the public safety system of the cities of Eugene and Springfield. Free response is available for a broad range of non-criminal crises, including homelessness, intoxication, disorientation, substance abuse and mental illness problems, and dispute resolution.)

And to report illegal camping, contact https://www.eugene-or.gov/3484/Temporary-Urban-Camping 

Some specific recommendations for our HOA residents: 

TRASH:

• Put garbage out in the morning rather than the night before.
• Take your cans/bottles to bottle drops—if we don’t have anything they want in our recycle bins, they’ll stop coming.
• Do not put financial information in the trash. Some banks (Columbia for example) offer secure shredding services for their customers. 

PACKAGES:

• Consider utilizing package drop places, rather than having products delivered to your home. Amazon has several package drop locations in Eugene, and most UPS stores/Mailbox stores will accept packages for you. 
• Make sure you get to know our wonderful regular delivery men and couriers  and let them know your schedules or requests—they will often put stuff on the back porch if the gate is unlocked and you request it. Or they will deliver to a neighbor, again, with permission and direction.
• Get to know a neighbor and ask for their help in picking up your goodies!
• Text/call/email a neighbor if you see packages on their porch. 

CAR SAFETY:

• Do not leave anything in your car. Even if you think “who would want my hat?” or “a phone cord is nothing” others might see it as a temptation or indication of other riches.  And they don't have to pay for a broken window, right?  
• Handicapped placards are actually worth money and are a big target. 
• Remove your address from your car registration. You must have a registration in your car when driving, but you do not have to have your address on it, only on your license.
• Do not leave your garage door opener in your car.
• If you experience a car break elsewhere in the city, look to secure your home—they may have your address or garage door opener or other information—change codes/locks, notify your neighbors and the police. Don’t leave personal information in your car.
• Monitor your gas tank—yes, siphoning gas from parked cars can be a thing..

HOME:

• Make sure you have some type of light on the backyard—motion detector or dusk/dawn options are both suitable. 
• Consider window alarms. The officer recommended them as very easy ways to secure ground floor units. This is the type of alarm: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=window+alarms+for+home. This is a popular example: https://www.amazon.com/Doberman-Security-Ultra-Slim-Design-SE-0106W-2PK/dp/B01M0AQ295 

COMMON SENSE:

• PLEASE PARK IN YOUR GARAGE. This is important for two reasons—one, obviously it’s harder for them to get into your car, right? Second, less crowded parking means less places for them to hide in the neighborhood and less targets. Right now, our crowded streets can actually draw in the criminals—it is a “target rich environment” with "excellent cover." 
• KEEP YOUR EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON.
• REPORT ALL INCIDENTS: 541 682 5111 or https://ceapps.eugene-or.gov/epdcoplogic/.  

Note: these are private streets. You can tell people they are trespassing. However do not confront people directly—your safety should be your first concern.