The neighborhood is a safe place to live, Talan says, and the crime watch only becomes active when there's a problem. Here, someone is likely to look out the window and call the cops. Drug dealers get the word in a hurry. There are plenty of neighborhoods where people look the other way. Johnson had a key to an elderly neighbor's house and would check on her.
Simple gestures are very important.
If you see someone's garbage can isn't put away, you put it away for them. Two neighbors then went to check the house. Everything was secure. The Triangle is a very walkable area and Johnson walks her dogs before dawn. Her husband bicycles downtown to work.