Community

Neighborhood Safety

Being and feeling safe and secure in your neighborhood is important. The Old Brooklyn community is consistently recorded as one of the safest neighborhoods within the city of Cleveland.

The Old Brooklyn Community Development Corporation (OBCDC) has an extensive Neighborhood Watch/crime prevention program which enlists the active participation of citizens in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce crime in communities. Networks of neighbors are trained by crime prevention officers on how to protect themselves and their property as well as how to serve effectively as additional eyes and ears for law enforcement agencies in your neighborhood.

If you are in an emergency or see anything suspicious always call 911, if not or if you want general assistance call the OBCDC at 459-1000 or email Barb Spaan at
Participating in Neighborhood Watch involves:

  • Neighbors getting to know each another and working together in a program of mutual assistance.
  • Citizens being trained to recognize and report suspicious and criminal activities in their neighborhood such as burglary, larceny, vandalism, and littering.
  • Implementation of crime prevention techniques such as home security, suspect identification and operation identification, safe homes for children and community clean up.
  • Involve yourself and others….don’t be part of the problem…be part of the solution.
  • Be aware – know your neighbor’s routines and keep an eye on their home when they are away.
  • Be cooperative – talk to your neighbors.
  • Keep an eye on your neighbor’s children and ask them to keep an eye on yours.
  • Participate in operation identification and other security programs for your home.
  • Set up a neighborhood clean-up and beautification program – organize a campaign to clean out debris and brush from parks and wooded areas.
  • Inform others in your neighborhood on the importance of a safe and clean community.

Remember, the CDC and law enforcement officers can’t be everywhere at once, but you and your neighbors can put that neighborhood “know how” to work for everyone!